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Arthur Pendragon wasn't sure when night had turned to day or how he'd managed back to his flat. He just knew that he must have had a damn good time. Sitting up, he rubbed his eyes with the palm of his hand. His living room was in disarray and he couldn't work out if the party had continued on here or if the mess had just been caused by him trying to find his bedroom. He slouched back into the couch. Yes, it had defiantly been a very good night. He vaguely wondered if he'd come home with his wallet and phone. He couldn't even really remember if he'd taken them. He smirked and closed his eyes. Being the Birthday Boy definitely had its advantages.

The clock on the wall read that it was noon and Arthur saw no point in trying to make the day productive. He couldn't really think of anything he wanted to do anyway. He stood up, regretting the action immediately but pushed through the wooziness and attempted to make his way to his bed. As Arthur lent on his door way, his bleary eyes focused on his bed. There was a long figure disguised under his doona and sheets and a long thin foot sticking out the bottom. Arthur rolled his eyes. Only Merlin would turf a man on his birthday to the couch while he took the bed. He wondered briefly how the weedy man had even managed to get him to his flat.

"Get up Merlin!"

Arthur commanded as best he could, despite his state. His demands went unheard though as the sleeping Merlin didn't even flinch.

"Merlin!"

Arthur continued to call

"I said get up!"

The mass of blankets seemed to twitch and Merlin's head appeared. His hair was ruffled and was glaring at Arthur with one eye.

"What?"

He spat, rubbing his eye angrily

"What are you howling about?"

Arthur intensified his glare

"How did you end up in my bed and I end up on the lounge?"

Merlin fell back into the pillows with a groan

"Would you believe me if I said I had no bloody memory?"

Arthur smirked and sat on the end of the bed

"Actually I would"

He chuckled softly, the action making his stomach gurgle dangerously.

"I need you to get up and out though"

Arthur continued

"I need this bed, so I can pass out and die for the 12 next hours"

Merlin laughed softly

"Got any food?"

Arthur shrugged and crawled up to the head board, letting his body collapse next to Merlin's

"I have no idea"

Arthur could quite remember the last time he'd eaten in his flat. The last couple of weeks had been a blur of late night strategy meetings and take-away containers. He wasn't even sure if the fridge was still on. Merlin pulled himself out of the bed and stretched his arms out.

"I'm going to take that as a no then. I'm off then"

"Bring me up and bacon and egg roll?"

Merlin laughed as he made his way to the door

"I'm not your assistant anymore Mr Pendragon. If you want a greasy lunch, you are going to have to get off your arse and come with me"

Arthur sighed deeply into his pillow. Although the temptation of falling back into deep sleep was strong, his gurgling stomach needed something before he could let himself get to comfortable.

"Right, gives us a minute to change"

"No way sir"

Merlin mocked; in a manner way to perky for someone Arthur last remembered seeing doing a row of shots

"If I have to do a walk of shame in this crumpled suit, then you can too"

The busy street didn't help Arthur's hangover one bit. His belt felt like it was chafing his skin and he knew everyone was able to smell the stench of the night before on his clothes. Despite this sorry state it didn't stop the two men dissecting the night that was as they sat on a park bench, eating their breakfast.

"So did Perce end up hooking up?"

Arthur asked conversationally and Merlin shook his head

"The girl never ended up showing up. He was well disappointed. Think that's why he hit the drink as hard as he did"

"Doesn't give the rest of us an excuse though"

Arthur said with a laugh

"I think everyone else was just shocked to see you having a good time. Everyone was hoping they'd pass out before the defence force tyrant returned"

Arthur rolled his eyes

"I'm not a tyrant, I'm a leader…"

He trailed off, not wanting to think about work in his state

"I'm just glad everyone had a good time"

Merlin smiled

"Everyone had a great time. Helped get their minds off the last few months"

Arthur nodded and didn't reply. It wasn't just the last few months; Arthur felt he needed a break from. Arthur was struggling with the last four years. He still hadn't mentioned the sealed blue envelope that was concealed in the inside pocket of his jacket. He'd spent most of yesterday toying with the idea of opening it. Now it still remained untouched and Arthur was no closer to deciding if he even wanted to read its contents. He had recognized his sisters handwriting immediately and doubted whether she's have any good wishes for him on his 25th birthday. Arthur looked back up at Merlin, who was talking about their various friends and their antics the night before. Arthur hadn't planned on telling him of Morgana's letter, even if he had opened it. It wasn't just Arthur she had destroyed that night, but his friend too. He took a pensive bite of his egg and bacon roll and let the letter burn his chest. He would throw it out first chance he was alone. It doesn't matter that she was blood, he decided. Some things, even sisters were better left in the past.

Gwen lent of the doorframe and stared into the darkened room with a frown. She was still sleeping. This wasn't a good sign. Gwen glanced at the clock; she should have been up at least five hours ago. Gwen entered and pulled the curtains back, revealing the bright sky and city skyline

"Urgh"

Gwen smirked at the reaction and drew her eyes away from the beautiful days to take a better look at her client. Gwen quickly sighed at her state. Morgana had been making such progress since she'd arrived. Yet today she looked similar to how she had when she'd arrived.

"How are you feeling today?"

Gwen asked, plastering a smile to her face as an attempt to disguise her worry

"I'm having a bad day today"

Gwen nodded and opened Morgana's cupboard

"What do you want to wear to day?"

Gwen asked, flicking through Morgana's expensive looking longue wear.

"It was my brother's birthday yesterday"

Gwen turned back to face Morgana, trying to remember if there had been anything in her notes about this.

"I sent a card… the doctor suggested it. I haven't heard anything back…."

She trailed off and fingered the thread on her doona.

"I'm sure patience is the key here. It was only his birthday yesterday! Give him time Morgana"

Morgana looked up with such hope that Gwen was right, that she immediately regretted saying anything. Gwen scolded herself for being so thoughtless. Morgana had been in care for little over a month now and despite Albion's constant attempt to get in touch with her family, they still had seen any Pendragons enter its building. Gwen, as a nurse had seen her fair share of neglectful families but never had Albion. It was an exclusive respite for the wealthy families in London, known for its top end care and strict terms regarding privacy. Gwen had seen a few familiar faces from her T.V battle their various addictions and seen the horrible levels of desperation a human could face. Her work was never pretty but there was always a sense of community. A client always had someone either trying to mend fences, scold them relentless or trying to help their career. Yet Morgana Pendragon said alone in her room most days, attending sessions with her doctor and trying to make conversation with the nurses and other clients. She seemed to belong to no one and no one seemed to want a bar of her. It broke Gwen's heart, especially when she had found out that it wasn't the first time the young Miss Pendragon had tried to take her own life.

Gwen smiled softly at Morgana and her hopeful smile. She wondered if she should do a little investigation in to this brother of hers. It was no secret who he was. Arthur Pendragon was a military hero and apart of the Pendragon political dynasty. According to the papers he was attempting to follow his deceased father's footsteps and become a minister for the Defense Force. Gwen would always see his stoic image in media and wondered how well the public would react if they knew the Great Pendragon had a lost and forgotten older sister struggling with nightmares in a cold bed on the top floor of Albion.

Arthur watched Merlin's retreating figure wander through the crowds as he made his own way home. He pulled the blue envelope from his jacket and let it fall into the garbage. It was time for him to crawl back into bed. He turned down the street and started walking to do just that.