Summary: Arthur is a hunter. One of the best hunter there's been since Uther, but he has a problem, a hunter is nothing without his handler and a compatible handler is seemingly impossible to find. Not until he meets Merlin that is. The first compatible handler he's met in years and he has every intention of going back to hunting with Merlin in tow, but Merlin's life is in disarray, with an abusive family to boot, he has little options and lots of secrets. Not to mention, Merlin has never even heard of supernatural hunters. Will Arthur be able to convince Merlin to join the hunt? And what is Merlin so desperate to hide anyway?

Merlin's POV

There was a point in my life where shit had to give, right? I mean, right? It couldn't possibly keep going on like this. That's what I kept telling myself as I stood outside the house I grew up in, a big duffel bag thrown over my shoulder.

Getting kicked out for the umpteenth time since I turned 11 and my mom hooked up with another new asshole that didn't want a kid around, except this time I was three months away from turning 18 and thank whatever deity there was up there, that I'd gone through the accelerated graduation program and managed to get my high school diploma almost a year ago. I had managed to find work and save some money up to move out, but minimun wage didn't get you far, especially when you kept getting kicked out, and renting motel rooms for weeks at a time ate up my savings, but this time was different. This time I didn't have to come back and I might be able to convince my manager to schedule me for more hours. All of which was a good plan, but… the first thing I had to worry about was finding a place to live until I saved up enough money to get my own place, maybe get a better paying job or something. I sighed, looked at my phone, pretty much everyone in there lived with their parents and I couldn't put them out like that, and the others well, I did not have any intention of calling them up if I could help it.

I looked back at the house and waved at it, "Bye, house. You done treated me good. Can't say the same for the people livin' there, but you weren't bad." I turned away and just began walking, until I could think of something better to do with my-homeless-self at 2 in the morning.

I walked until I was basically in the middle of downtown. Bars, bars, bars. I scrunched my nose, I never drank before, people always stunk when they were drunk, I really wasn't sure what the big deal of it was, all I knew is that I didn't want any drunkard coming out of there and harassing me, ugh. That's the last thing I needed. I pulled my phone back out of my pocket and looked at the screen. I was starting to get desperate now. Almost three. Fuck. I couldn't just wander the street the rest of the night. I was tired, hungry, and eventually I'd have to use a bathroom and this fucking bag was heavy. I took a deep breath, staring at my phone. I was gonna have to suck it up and call someone up, and by someone I meant Mordred, because Mordred was the one most likely to pick up my call at this hour and agree to pick me up and let me crash. Of course, Mordred was the last person I wanted to call. He was sweet and kind, tall and scrawny and cute. That was my first impression of him, then he opened his mouth and the verbal diarrhea spilled out. Within 10 minutes I knew his entire life story and about every comic in his collection, I thought he was hilarious, we got along great, right up until the point he got a crush on me and he changed, changed, changed. Then all of a sudden he was constantly hitting on me, clingy, making me super uncomfortable and just so not what I wanted in my life right now. I turned him down, but he still never gave up. I'm sure calling him right now, would only throw fuel to a fire I want to put out. I wanted him to just be my friend again.

But what exactly were my options right now? I felt like I was using his feelings for me to my advantage, even if that wasn't my intention. I bit my lip, the last thing I wanted to do was wind up hurting him. He was a good person, and he deserved someone who wasn't as fucked up as me. Naïve. He was naïve and someone like me who had way too many scars and baggage than the next kid would just end up ruining him. I didn't deserve someone like him. I knew that. He didn't seem to, I had always kept as much as I could to myself, but I had bruises on my body, scars that I wasn't strong enough to share yet, that would probably have him recoiling away from me and fuck did I so not want to see the look on his face when he found out how damaged I really was. How paranoid and fucked up I truly was and living with him would be ample opportunity for him to see me for what I was. Would the light in his eyes when he saw me evaporate? He'd be too nice to kick me out. Damn it. I'd never be able to afford my own place if I kept running to that danky motel, it was the only place I could find that would rent a room to a minor, but I hated, HATED, the owner. He was a creep, with creepy, slimy looking face to fit it and, yeah, I'd pretended not to notice for all these years how he'd look at me every time I came in and lick his lips like I was his next meal. I was not, NOT desperate enough to suck that guys dick for a free room. Even though, I knew if I offered he'd go for it, but ugh no. That could not be the first guy I went down on.

"Fuck!" I yelled out to nobody and smacked my own head with my phone. Always in this position, but this time permanent. I should be glad I didn't have to go back, I mean I was, it just would've been better if I had more money and a place set up to go. My life never did go as planned.

"Are you ok?" Someone said interrupting my thoughts.

I looked up to see this, nerdy tall lanky guy looking at me. Glasses and plaid shirt, with slacks. He had pretty brown eyes and concerned look on his face, almost looked genuine.

"I am fine," I smiled, "If you'll excuse me," I stepped away from him quickly. Never trust random strangers in the middle of the night, guy probably thought I was some kid he could con into doing some nasty shit for a meal. Wouldn't be the first, but seriously, fuck people already. I was only ten blocks from Mordred's place. I just had to suck it up and go.

"You don't look it," he called after me, "Specially not with that black eye and split lip."

"Nobody asked you," I huffed back, "None of your business anyway and as I said, I am fine."

"Kid, I'm a cop."

I stopped and arched my brow skeptically at him, and snorted, "And I'm the fucking king of England. Either way, don't care man."

"I can take you in for runaway. You shouldn't be out here this late."

"I'm eighteen," I lied easily, it was almost true anyway, "There ain't no law against anyone my age roaming the streets at night."

I watched his eyes widen in surprise, "You certainly don't look it."

I sighed, "And you don't look like a cop," I eyed him up and down, "Not even a badge, so if you think I'm going to pull out my ID for some random stranger so he can have all my information, then you must be some kind of high. I said I'm fine, now I'll be on my way and you have yourself a goodnight, sir." I turned back around and started making my way to Mordred's. It was way too late at night and all the freaks were out. I had no time to piss around and whine about my life. I just needed a safe place to sleep tonight and I'd figure out the rest tomorrow. Maybe I could rent a room somewhere. Would anyone rent to me until I turned 18? Only three months and I'd be entirely legal anyway. I could probably get my boss to give me a reference for it, too. He was cool like that.

I was lost in my thoughts again as I walked, not realizing that the supposed cop was behind me until he placed a hand on my shoulder and I almost elbowed his face by reflex, "What the fuck, man?" I said stepping away from him, "What the hell is your problem?"

"Whoa, there," he said, backing up, "I told you I'm a cop and I can't possibly let you go without at least making sure, you're truly ok, and heading somewhere safe," he reached his hand to my face and I instantly flinched away so he dropped it, "I can give you my badge number, you can call the station yourself and confirm. I can have another police vehicle here in minutes and the only reason I don't have a badge on me is because I'm off duty. Have you considered maybe filing a report? Pressing charges? And don't tell me you walked into a door, because we'd both know you'd be full of shit."

I frowned at him, "I am headin' somewhere safe, and there ain't no point fo none of that shit. I'm fine and I'll be fine, I'd appreciate you backin' down and lettin' me be."

He frowned, "I can't force you into anything," he sighed and reached back, pulling out his wallet and card thereafter and handing it to me, "That's my card, if you ever just want to talk or need some help, give me a call."

I looked at the card, "Detective Pendragon," I read, "I'll keep that in mind, but if you keep following me, I'll file a restraining order against you, 'cause you are fuckin' creepin me out, man. Back off."

"Not my intention," he answered and backed away, "You have my card. All you have to do is call."

"Whatever," I shoved the card in my pocket, and turned, speed walking to Mordred's, almost sprinting, afraid to get stopped by another idiot.

I had planned to call before I showed up. I should've, but I'd been in a rush and before I knew it I was standing in front of his door, panting like a madman. I gave myself a minute to straighten up and catch my breath before actually calling finally. I bit my lip as it rang, five times before he picked up with a groggy, "Merlin?"

"Hey, good morning," I answered nervously, "You busy?"

"I was sleeping," he yawned, "It's like 3:30. Is everything ok?"

"Yeah, I figured, but I kinda need a huge favor and I am sorry about waking you, I just didn't know who else to turn to at this hour."

"What's going on?" He said, sounding more alert, "Are you ok? Where are you? What do you need?"

"I'm fine, I just need you to open your door for now."

"What? You're here?"

"Yeah, Mordred, please, I really need the bathroom."

"Y-yeah ok," I heard a thud from the door, and figured he just fell out of bed, "Coming!" He said and a seconds later he opened the door, eyes wide in surprise, "You're really here?"

"Yes!" I pushed passed him, "Bathroom, explanation after, I swear." I bolted to his bathroom, looked at my face and cleaned off the blood as best as I could. Didn't look any better, but well, best I could do for now. After a few minutes, I came back out and saw him sitting on his bed. His place was a small studio apartment. His bedroom and kitchen were all one space. He did his best to spruce things up, I could tell for how neat he kept it. It was small, but comfortable. He said it was cheaper than the dorms at the college he went to and his family lived two hours away, too far to commute for classes.

"Your face," he said frowning.

"Yeah, about that, could I crash for a day? I swear it'll only be for a day, I ain't mean to be takin' over your space or anything. I just don't have a place to go and it's real short notice, I'll figure somethin' out after I sleep, I promise."

"What?" he blinked, standing up and walking towards me, he looked at me and raised his hand to my face, I backed away quickly and noticed his eyes begin to tear up, "What happened, Merlin?"

"Nothin'!" I answered. He crossed his arms, "Seriously? That's what you're going with?"

I looked down and bit my lip, "Ok, maybe not nothin', but nothin' out of the norm. It's just a couple of bruises, it'll heal up in a lil' bit and it's over. Three months till I'm 18, I ain't goin' back. She can't do nothin' bout it."

"We need to-"

"No," I interrupted, "Callin' cops just gonna bring me more trouble than what it's worth. Like I said, I ain't goin' back. It's over. Just gotta figure out a place to stay till I can get my own. Please, Mordred, just let me crash."

He let out a huge sigh and said, "Merlin, you can stay here for as long as you need. Why didn't you ever tell me you were going through something like this?"

"It ain't nothin' I wanted to broadcast," I shrugged, "Please, let it go."

Mordred took a step forward and circled his arms slowly around me and pulled me into a hug, I tensed in his arms. Feeling like a broken child. "You can stay as long as you want," he whispered, "I'll have a key made for you tomorrow, you don't have to rush out of here."

I nodded, "Thanks, I won't be here long, though, I'm not gonna intrude in your space like that, Mordred."

He let me go and gave me a curious look, "You know that's not how I see it. I like you, I get you don't feel the same way, but you should at least know I don't look at it like that."

I shrugged and looked away from him, "I-I guess. I'll take the floor."

"No you're not."

"I ain't puttin' you out like that."

"We can share. It's a queen, we'll fit. Totally platonic, I swear."

I fidgeted for a second, "Fine. I ain't arguin' with you."

"Good. I got some ibuprofen in the bathroom, you're gonna take it, it'll help with swelling and tomorrow you're icing that thing," he pointed at my eye, then looked me up and down, "Also, you could shower, fyi, the hot water only last about ten minutes," he shrugged, "Gets the job done."

I smiled, "Shower sounds great, actually, and cold water is the least of my worries right now. Don't know how I'll ever thank you, S'mores. I owe you for this. I ain't got much, but I can help with the bills and I'll talk to Gaius about picking up more hours, I reckon he ain't gonna say no, since I'm almost 18 and all."

He gave me a shy smile, "We can figure out logistics tomorrow, or later today. You need rest and I got class in the morning, but I'll call you when I can and I should be home by 1, k?"

"Yeah ok," I turned and grab my bag from the floor where I had dropped it on my rush to the bathroom, "Towel?"

"In the bathroom cupboard," he nodded.

"Thanks," I opened my bag and pulled a clean shirt and some shorts out and took as quick a shower as I could. Popping open his medicine cabinet after and shoving a couple pills down my throat, I came out about 15 minutes later finding him lying in bed already falling asleep. I crawled in next to him. It was the first time I'd ever slept next to someone, especially not someone I was attracted to, so I was a bit nervous, but I was more tired than anything and found myself passing out before I even realized it.

A/n: First chapter of a new Merthur fic. *takes a deep breath* Here it is! Enjoy?