I'm not really familiar with sign language so please forgive me for the liberties I have taken with it along with head injuries. I've posted other stories but this was my first attempt at writing so please be kind. Thanks to my wonderful sister kaseyboy for being my beta.
I'm breaking this up into chapters to make posting easier but it is completed.
Summary: Arthur and Merlin are dating. Uther doesn't approve so Arthur breaks up with Merlin and moves out of the country. What happens to Merlin next is unimaginable but he gets through it. Now Arthur has returned and wants Merlin back.
Warnings: minor character death, homophobia, angst, violence, hospitalization, disability, deafness, modern setting, and like all my stories it has a happy ending
Reviews are most definitely welcome.
After the Break-Up...
They were all sitting around Merlin and Gwen's shared flat. It wasn't nearly as spacious as Arthur's or as immaculate as Morgana's, but it was what the two longtime friends and financially struggling university students could afford. Plus, having Gwaine, Lance and Percy also dwelling in the same building was an added bonus and Leon lived just down the street.
Arthur and Merlin were snuggled together on one end of the sofa. "So how's the world of big business treating you?" Gwaine asked Arthur.
Arthur and Leon were several years older than the rest of them, both already graduated from uni and had been working out in the 'real world' for nearly a year now. Arthur worked for his father's company while Leon worked as an architect.
"Very draining. We've been working like mad getting the New York office open but things should settle down now that it's up and running." He pulled Merlin closer to him and placed a kiss on the unruly dark hair on top of his head.
The two of them have been a couple for just over a year and a half. Morgana introduced them two years ago, shortly after meeting Merlin herself. She had met Gwen in a class they shared and they quickly became friends, which led to her meeting Merlin. Arthur and Merlin spent the first six months after their initial meeting either ignoring or insulting or trying to kill each other. The rest of them just stood back and watched the show, knowing that eventually they would figure things out. Six months later, they finally did and they've been a couple ever since.
Anymore it's rare when all eight of them are able to get together. Usually, several of them are missing because of school, work or some other obligation. As of late, Arthur had been the one absent more often than not because of the long hours he'd been clocking at the office.
He felt like he was neglecting Merlin but Merlin was always understanding. Merlin was quite busy himself, with his classes and working at Gaius's cafe by the university. Whatever free time Arthur had, he spent it with Merlin but it never was enough for Arthur. Now, finally, he'd have much more time to devote to him and both of them were relishing the thought of it.
XXX
Arthur never intentionally tried to hide the fact that he was gay from Uther, it just never came up. Thoughout school, he dated girls but he always knew deep down that he was gay. Uther would sometimes ask if there was a special girl in his life but he would deny it since his special someone was Merlin.
It wasn't until after the New York office was finished that Uther started pushing Arthur telling him he was to the point in his life that he needed to find someone to settle down with and think about having children in the near future. Arthur finally got up the nerve to tell his father that he was gay and had already found someone he wanted to eventually settle down with. Uther, of course, wasn't about to accept that. "I will NOT have a gay son!...I will NOT have you embarrass me like this!...I will NOT have you disgrace the Pendragon name!"
Arthur just sat there and listened to Uther until he was done with his rant. Arthur was definitely afraid that his father was going to disinherit him but after he left Uther's office, neither of them mentioned it again and they went on like usual.
XXX
A few weeks later, Cendred was standing in Uther's office. "Mr. Pendragon, it would seem your son's relationship with the boy is still going on. He seems to be spending even more time with him now that the New York project is done."
"What do you know about this boy?"
"His name is Merlin Emrys. He comes from a small town called Ealdor, was raised by a single mother, is getting through university by working at a cafe to supplement his scholarships. He's studying to become a teacher and is just finishing up his second year. He's making excellent grades. He is also friends with your daughter." He finished and handed Uther the report he just highlighted along with pictures of Arthur and Merlin holding hands and kissing.
When Arthur told him he was gay, he decided he would do whatever was necessary to end this right now. He would NOT have a gay son.
Then the idea came to him. Send Arthur to New York to get him away from this boy. The boy wouldn't be able to follow since he was still in university. The time and distance apart would most certainly put an end to the situation once and for all. Decision made.
XXX
Arthur is called into Uther's office first thing Monday morning. Never a good sign when it's an impromptu meeting. He barely got seated before Uther began. "I need you in the New York office by the start of next month."
"Alright, but why? Has something changed there? I thought we had all the staff in place."
"We do, I just think that, since it's a new office, it would be better if a Pendragon were there on a daily basis to ensure everything runs smoothly."
"How long are you talking about?"
"A year, two at the most." Arthur made an audible gasp which Uther ignored and just went on. "We have an apartment already leased so there should be no reason to delay your departure. I think three weeks should be more than sufficient to get all your loose ends tied up here." Uther said this like it was a given, Arthur would do as he was told...end of story.
"But father, can't someone else go. There are any number of people you could send like Owen or George..."
"Stop right there," Uther interrupted raising his voice. "I want a Pendragon over there. One day this company will be yours. You need to realize now that you will have to make sacrifices along the way. Now I don't want to hear another word about it. You are to be there by the first of the month."
Arthur was numb all over. Three weeks, he had less than three weeks before he was to leave. He knew the color had drained from his face and his stomach felt like it was twisted in knots. What about Merlin? "But father, you don't understand, I can't leave Mer..." he started to voice, when Uther abruptly cut him off.
"Arthur, if you aren't willing to do what's in the best interest of this company then maybe I need to find someone better suited to take over Pendragon Inc. upon my retirement."
So there it was, either do as Uther said or be disinherited. "You're dismissed. I'll have Vivian send your assistant all the information." Arthur stood to leave when Uther added, "don't disappoint me, again, Arthur."
Arthur knew exactly what the 'again' Uther was referring to meant.
When Arthur got back to his own office, he felt sick. What did he do? Did he just agree to go to New York for at least a year? Why couldn't he just stand up to his father? Was he really going to let Uther run his life? He put his head down on his desk for a few minutes before he told his personal assistant, Mithian, to clear his schedule for the rest of the day.
Fifteen minutes later, he left his office and went home. He couldn't even fathom the idea of leaving Merlin but he didn't think he was strong enough to defy his father. He knew Uther would fire him and most likely try to take his flat from him leaving him homeless. He also knew how mean and spiteful Uther could be and feared that his dear old father would even put the word out for no one else to hire him. Then what would he do? Feeling hopeless, he proceeded to get drunk trying to forget how his life has just been turned completely upside down.
XXX
Merlin and Arthur had just walked into Arthur's flat after an awkward lunch. Arthur had been acting strangely the last few weeks. He knew he should have told Merlin about his plans to move to New York right away but he just couldn't bring himself to do it. He just wanted to spend as much time with Merlin as possible before he left because he knew that soon he would no longer have Merlin. He knew it was selfish of him but he just couldn't help it.
"Merlin, we need to talk."
"So you're finally going to tell me what's going on?"
Whenever Merlin had questioned him about it, Arthur would say he was just busy and stressed with work, nothing to worry about.
Merlin knew this was a lie because Arthur had finished with the New York project nearly two months ago and had never mentioned the company starting anything new, but he figured Arthur would open up to him when he was ready.
Sadly, Merlin was completely caught off guard by what came next.
"Merlin, we need to break up."
"What? What are you talking about? Why?" Merlin didn't see that one coming, it was like a punch to the gut. True, Arthur had been acting strangely but he never gave Merlin any indication that he wanted to end their relationship.
"I just think it's time to move on. You're still in school and I want to focus on my career. We're in different places in our lives."
"Are you kidding me? Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"
"I'm moving to New York, Merlin, to oversee that office. I'll be there for at least a year and I don't want to be tied down."
"But I don't understand. I love you and I thought you loved me. You want to just throw it all away?"
Arthur didn't say anything, instead he turned away from Merlin not knowing if he could go through with it.
"Is this something you want to do or is Uther making you do it?" Merlin's voice was shaky and Arthur knew if he looked around he was sure to see tears in Merlin's eyes.
"Merlin, just drop it."
"No, I won't! Why are you doing this? Did your father finally find out about us and doesn't approve so he's sending you to New York?" Merlin demanded.
In actuality, that very thought had crossed his own mind but he chose to ignore it. "It's not...I just think it'd be better if we broke up."
"It's Uther, isn't it," he asked again. When Arthur didn't deny it, Merlin had his answer. "So your father's opinion of you is worth more than me?"
"Merlin, please, just stop. It's over, okay."
"Why can't you just stand up to him and tell him you're not going? Am I not worth fighting for?!" Merlin shouted.
Arthur just wanted this whole conversation to be done and over with so he turned to Merlin and said, "you're right, okay! You're not worth it! Now please just leave!" He wished he hadn't turned around because the devastation he saw on Merlin's face broke his heart. It made him sick knowing his words caused that look but it was not enough to keep him from turning away and walking out of the room. He slammed his bedroom door shut a few seconds later.
Merlin stood there frozen for a second before he walked out the door passing a very shocked Morgana. She had been standing in the hall about to knock on Arthur's door when she heard the shouting but couldn't make out what was being said. She reached out and stopped Merlin to ask if he was okay. He looked at her, devastation written all over his face, and he told her to ask her dear brother before rushing down the hall and out of the building.
Seeing Merlin looking like this broke her heart and made her want to go and punch her dear brother in the face so she whipped around and stormed into his flat. Not seeing Arthur, she headed straight back to his bedroom yelling as she went. When she got to his door she didn't even bother knocking, instead she opened it with such force it slammed against the wall leaving a dent. Arthur was sitting at his desk with his back to the door. He didn't even acknowledge her presence. She walked over to him and spun his chair around. "What the hell did you just do?! You are such a fucking ass I can't believe it! What did you say to Merlin to make him so upset?"
When he didn't immediately reply, she just stood there with her arms crossed over her chest, glaring at him. "Well, I'm waiting."
"I told him we're through, okay? There, now you know, so you can leave."
"You did what! Why would you do that?"
"Just leave it Morgana. It's none of your business."
"Like hell it isn't! Merlin is one of my dearest friends. How could you do that to him?"
"You don't understand," he responded quietly.
"Then please enlighten me!"
"I'm moving to New York," he whispered.
"You're what? Why on earth are you doing that!?"
"Father needs me to oversee that office for a year or two so it's better this way. I don't want a long distance relationship."
"Well, did it ever cross your mind to tell Uther no?"
Arthur didn't bother to respond because there was nothing to say. He knew he was a coward but he had made up his mind and he wasn't going to change it. Even if he could, the words had already been said and the damage done.
When Arthur continued to just sit there in silence, Morgana uttered "unbelievable," before she added, "you're a dick!" then turned and stormed out slamming the door shut behind her. She had to find Merlin and make sure he was okay.
XXX
Merlin left Arthur's flat in a state of shock and wasn't paying attention to where he was going and walked right out into the street in front of a car that was turning his way. Luckily, the car wasn't going very fast but it still knocked him down. He landed on his butt and scraped up his hands and elbows. The driver and a passerby ran over to him to make sure he was okay. He insisted he was fine and got up, wiped his hands on his jeans and brushed off the seat of his pants.
The driver was just getting back into his car when Morgana came upon the scene and rushed over to him. After checking to make sure he had no serious injuries, she waved down a taxi and insisted he take it home. He willingly crawled into the back of it, feeling bruised and battered both physically and emotionally. "Do you want me to come home with you?" He shook his head. "Alright, I'll call you later, okay?"
"Thanks Morgana," is all he said before the taxi drove away.
Once he was out of sight, she dug her phone out of her handbag and called Gwen.
XXX
As soon as Merlin stepped through the door, Gwen rushed over to him and grabbed his wrists. "We need to get these cleaned up," she told him looking at his palms. She carefully pulled up his sleeves to look at his elbows. "They don't look too bad. Come on, move it," and she ushered him down the hall into the bathroom.
Once she had him all doctored up, he thanked her and headed straight to his bedroom. He hadn't said more than a dozen words since he arrived home.
She gave him a few minutes before she went into his room. He was just laying on his side, staring off into space and didn't even notice she was there until she sat on the bed next to him. He looked over at her with red rimmed eyes and told her Arthur had dumped him.
She didn't say anything. Instead she laid down beside him, snuggled up against his back and wrapped her arms around him as he let the tears fall. They stayed that way until Merlin fell asleep about half an hour later. Gwen then stood up, walked around to his side of the bed and got him covered, gave him a kiss on the forehead and closed his door on her way out and he never stirred. She went into the kitchen to call Morgana. She then called Lance and cancelled their plans for that evening. He, of course, was very understanding and told her to call if she or Merlin needed anything.
XXX
Once Morgana got home, she called Leon and told him what Arthur had done. Leon knew Morgana probably felt responsible for all this because she was the one that introduced Merlin to her brother. "I'll go talk to him and call you back later."
When he got to Arthur's flat, Leon knocked but when he didn't get any answer he turned the doorknob and it was unlocked so he walked in. Arthur wasn't in the living room or kitchen so he must be in his bedroom so Leon knocked on that door.
"Go away Morgana. I don't want to talk about it anymore."
Leon opened the door and saw Arthur sitting off the side of his bed staring out the window. There were a few empty beer cans scattered around the floor. This was a new addition to the room since Morgana was there.
"Listen Arthur," Leon began. "I need to talk to you. Merlin was in an accident." When Arthur jerked his head around in alarm, Leon quickly added, "he's fine, just a little scraped up, but he's fine."
Before Leon could say anything else, Arthur cut in, "I don't want to hear anymore," which was an obvious lie because Leon saw the alarmed look on his face just a moment ago.
"What? Don't you even want to know what happened?" When Arthur shook his head no, Leon asked why he was trying to pretend like you don't care? "What's going on?"
"Leon, this doesn't concern you. We've been friends for a long time but you need to mind your own business and stay out of this."
He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Damn it Arthur, why are you letting Uther control your life? Stand up for yourself...make your own decisions...tell him you're not moving to New York! Stop being your father's puppet!"
"It's my life and I don't need you telling me how to live it, so if you have anything else to say about it, just leave now because I'm not interested," Arthur said in a stern voice.
Leon glared at him and told him that he was making a huge mistake and one day he would regret it.
Arthur just blew him off and turned back to the window like he was before Leon barged in. Leon walked out slamming the door behind him.
When Leon was outside, he called Morgana. She was shocked that Leon, of all people, wasn't able to get through to him. They'd been friends since they were about ten years old, and he had always been able to talk sense into Arthur.
When Arthur heard his front door slam shut, he flopped down on his bed. What had he done, breaking up with Merlin? And now Merlin was hurt and here he was trying to act like he didn't care when all he really wanted to do was run to Merlin, make sure he was okay and beg for his forgiveness. But he knew he couldn't. He'd be leaving in just a few days so this was for the best, at least he tried to convince himself of that. Somehow, he'd have to forget about Merlin, tell himself that Merlin was no longer his concern and get on with the job at hand. It was going to be hard but it's just one of the sacrifices he had to make.