A rustling behind the camera. Background static. Merlin's face came into view, waving cheerfully at Arthur.
"Hey Arthur! So if you've found this, it either means you've been snooping around Gwaine's stuff again, which you really have to stop, or… Well, you know how these things go."
Onscreen, Merlin adjusts his camera. The backdrop is starkly white making him look unfairly gorgeous.
"So I really don't know how to do this sort of thing. Do you just kind of talk at the camera? Is there anything particular I'm supposed to say? I dunno. There's no manual for this sort of thing, so I guess I just talk, yeah?"
A breath, a pause.
"So. All of a sudden, I really don't know what to say. The doctor said I needed to talk about feelings and stuff, but I don't really want to think on it, so I guess you, Arthur, get to hear me monologue at a screen for however long this lasts."
Sitting at his desk at home, Arthur straightened, wondering what his best friend is going to say next.
"So I've been reading this book, Dune. Frank Herbert. Heard of it? I'm sure you have, it's pretty famous. My mum used to quote from it when I was just a wee little kid. There was a tirade against fear in it, talking about all this stuff about how to defeat fear. Fear is the mind-killer, fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration… I just got to that part today; I hope I get to finish it. It's a lovely book. I had to take notes, though, because I don't really know what's going on half the time."
In this video, Merlin seems so much like his old self. Arthur almost choked up thinking about it.
"Arthur?" Merlin asks in the video. Suddenly, he looks very small. Arthur reaches out a hand and touches Merlin's face through the screen.
"Yes?" Arthur whispered.
"You'll take care of my mum, right? I know she's an independent woman and raised a son by herself and all, but I worry for her. It isn't right, it isn't easy. She puts up a good front, but she'll need people around her. You're a good person, Arthur, in case I wasn't being clear. And I know you never listen to orders, but listen to this one. Just… have a really fucking good life. You remember how you owe me from that time at Gwaine's? I'm calling in that favour now. Have a good life."
On screen, Merlin suddenly looks tired. "I'm going to sleep now. This is bloody tiring, is all. Didn't expect it to be quite so hard. Over and out, Arthur."
Arthur smiled at the screen for several long seconds before shutting the page down with one aggressive click of the mouse.
But that isn't it.
The next day, Arthur picked up his computer again and clicked on the next video. There are nearly twenty in total, neatly queued up and waiting for him. They vary in length. The first one is the shortest. The second one is nearly four hours.
Arthur clicked play and Merlin flickers to life again.
"Alright, Arthur. This is your mission, should you choose to accept it: We're going to watch Mean Girls, and you're going to bloody enjoy it. Cue up your Netflix, mate. I'm waiting."
Arthur smiled. This was such a Merlin thing to do. He didn't particularly want to watch Mean Girls, but he did want to hear Merlin's voice a little longer.
As the credits rolled, Arthur imagined that he could still hear Merlin's breathy laughter in his head.
"First time I saw that movie, I couldn't believe it when the niners got run over! It was such a sweet little chick flick, and then it's just like... BAM! I never saw that one coming."
Despite himself, Arthur laughed.
"Well, I've an hour yet before I need to be anywhere or do anything. Lucky thing about all these surgeries is they bring 'em right to me. Or sometimes they wheel me around places. Lucky me, imagine getting a room to myself in this upscale establishment." Merlin had a habit of turning his accent to the highest Queen's English when he was mocking someone.
"It's bloody boring without you here." Merlin continued. "I wish you hadn't had to go away. I wish… Ah, it's a selfish, pitiful thing. Mum says there's no reason to voice those thoughts."
As the video continued, Arthur could see Merlin getting weaker. He started out strong in each video, then he would go downhill as it took his toll on him. Arthur wished Merlin had never made those stupid videos.
"Well, I guess it's story time now. Let me think… Oh! I know! Did I ever tell you the story with Griselda and that time she tried to set me up with her cousin? That's a good one, that is. Stay tuned, you're in for the ride of your life."
Arthur had heard that story, and the one after, and the one after that. He listened to all of them. As soon as he finished, Merlin became small again.
"You'll stay with me, Arthur? Just a little longer? Just until I fall asleep?" Merlin said.
Arthur did.
AN: I'm sorry.