Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Merlin. I am not making this for profit of any sort; my goal is merely free entertainment for what I love.

This story will be like Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy—it looks in order at first and then confusing as hell.

Keep up, backwater people.

Dialogue Instructions:

"-Speaking-".

"-Thoughts-".

Please enjoy and let your imagination soar!

0oOo0

Prologue

0oOo0

Footsteps echoed against the polished surface, the rattling of chainmail against a sword's scabbard resonated against the walls of the vacant hallways. An ebony leather glove pushed back the scarlet cloak that danced along with its wearer, beckoning it to make space in order for its owner to take strides freely.

Piercing sapphire orbs kept their gaze ahead towards their destination. After several nights of accompanying Gwaine to tavern outings, it seemed the seemingly undefeatable male had finally succumbed to severe after-effects of too many alcoholic consumptions.

Mordred, unfortunately, and yet amusingly, had been the one to be appointed to undertake daily errands to Gaius' chambers in order to fetch a remedy for the headaches that befell his fellow comrade. He was not at all troubled to partake in the assistance of his comrade's needs.

However, he had taken notice of a constant predicament and yet enjoyment to the daily appointments to the physicians' quarters. The first time he arrived at the appointed hour to fetch the remedy, it was not Gaius that had greeted him—it had been Emrys. Their exchange had been brief and rather monotone in his opinion, though he had cherished every second he had been granted.

At first, he had merely dismissed it as a coincidence and as a gift that had been presented to him for just one day. He had been wrong, of course. The next day when he arrived at the same appointed time, Emrys had greeted him yet again. Mordred had not been able to hold back the unbearable question and had vocalized it.

"Emrys."

The slight tilt of the head from the older male was the only indication that he had heard him. Merlin faced away from him as he continued his quest of rummaging through the prescription cabinet, looking for the prescribed remedy to Gwaine if Mordred could guess.

"Is this the usual time of day in which you take over for Gaius?"

Merlin grasped a small cork top bottle from the higher section in the cabinet. The warlock twisted the bottle in his fingers and read the description written in it. His gaze shifted to the openly curious Knight, feeling rather wary of the seemingly innocent question. He dismissed his turmoil of emotions and simply stepped towards Mordred.

"I'm usually collecting herbs at this time for Gaius. He's busy, it's all." Merlin handed the remedy to Mordred, their fingers brushing for a split moment. In truth, any contact with the other male was dangerous to him—he simply could not relax around him. He could only picture the worst in every action he so made.

It had not gone unnoticed to Mordred of the discreet flinch the physical contact had caused on Emrys. He simply could not understand what had caused such distrust that a simple accidental touch could make the older man so wary. In comparison to others, Emrys seemed to twitch at any kind of touch from him—be it accidental or in a friendly manner (not that he'd ever tried). It made him terribly wary of his own actions and how to try and appease him.

"Thank you, Emrys."

A slight nod from said man and their conversation was finalized for the day. It made him feel inferior and unwelcomed, though he never was one to complain of certain conflicts in situations. He would definitely not begin now.

Thus, here he was, making his way to the Physicians' quarters once more. He did not doubt Emrys would greet him yet again, although that was not the sole reason he was looking forward to their interaction. King Arthur had been reunited with a fellow fighter who had fought in the Decennial Tournament years ago. That on its own had not been his point of interest.

Mordred had seen the man reunite with Emrys in such a way that one might mistake them for—brothers. In his eyes, he had seen nothing more than an affection that had been seen in kin. The type in which is found in his people. Perhaps, if he were to meet on friendly terms and not duty and converse with the man, Gilli, he could prove his suspicions right.

0oOo0

Thank you very much for reading! I hope you enjoyed it!

Please let me know if you'd like to read more!