Summary: Set five years before Damien. And at least 1500 after Merlin. Merlin has been walking the world alone ever since Arthur died, and his hope for him returning has been slowly diminishing. Until at one of his Open Art Gallery night, he meets Damien Thorn, who bears a strong resemblance to his King, They meet and hit it off, their love for art being a big topic for them.

At first, Merlin is hoping he could get him to remember his life at King Arthur, but as he gets to know Damien, he starts to love him and not who he used to be. Soon, all he sees is Damien. Soon enough, they start to date and Merlin falls even harder for him. They have a quiet couple of years, where they get married, before the whole shitstorm of people claiming Damien to be the Antichrist, and Merlin tries to be there for his husband as much as possible, though it doesn't make people like Ruttlage very happy about his presence. Merlin tries to do what he does best; protect the person that means the whole world to him.

Tags: marriage, mpreg, dark character, romance, angst, fluff, art, these two are art dorks in love, kelly is the best friend in the world

Chapter 1: Cause I'm Overcome in this War of Hearts

I can't help but love you

Even though I try not to

I can't help but want you

I know that I'd die without you

Merlin opened the door to his Art Gallery, his mind going over his list of thing to do to prepare for the showing that night. Like making sure the caterer was on time, there was enough champagne for everyone, as learned from last time when they hadn't realized the amount of guests they would get and had run out of champagne early in the evening.

"Morning, bossman!" Came Gwaine's loud voice. Merlin followed it until he came to the main office where he was finishing up paperwork before tonight.

"Hello, Gwaine. How's it going today?"

"Pretty well. We're almost ready for tonight's opening. I can't wait because I can finally show off my fiance to everybody and make them all jealous." Gwaine said, flipping his hair back as he did so.

"Poor Percy. I hope he survives the night," Merlin joked, laughing as he dodged the tape dispenser Gwaine threw at him. As he straightened, he couldn't help but feel a prang in his chest as he conversed with Gwaine. Even after all this time, it was still hard to see all the old faces of all his friends after so long of being alone. He had met Morgana first, though she wasn't related to Uther or anyone here. They talked and put the past behind them, becoming the greatest of friends. With Morgana came Gwen and Elyan, Leon, Lancelot, and finally Gwaine and Percival.

(Merlin was especially happy when he had found no sign of Mordred, At least not yet).

But no Arthur. The one person Merlin has been waiting to see for the last millennia. No matter what time it was and what tragedy was happening, the hope that Arthur would return had slowly diminished until he finally gave up hope for his King's return.

Opening the gallery had helped. Merlin had always loved art, and he had spent his time through the years practising until he was practically a great artist. He loved it all from water paints to camera pictures. If it was art, and he believed people would love it, it was in his gallery when he had opening nights.

"No need to worry about my Percy. He's practically made up for bricks. He can withstand anything." Gwaine boasted, a soft look overcoming his face as he thought about Percy.

"He certainly has to be to put up with you all the time." Merlin set his things on his desk and took a seat, pulling out his planner and going about his business.

Thus it was another day in the life of Merlin Emrys.

Merlin stood out of the crowd, looking around in pide. This showing had really become one of his best since he "took over from his grandfather Dragoon after he died." Many people complimented him on how much success he'd brought to the gallery and telling him how proud his grandfather would be if he were still here. If only they knew Merlin thought wryly.

He saw Morgana enter with her usual flair with Gwen right beside her. He waved until she noticed him and she practically shoved everyone out of her way in order to get to him.

"Merlin, it's so good to see you." Morgana kissed his cheek, Merlin doing the same to Gwen once they greeted each other.

"I'm glad your back. How was England?"

"Oh, just as hectic as usual. Thank goodness I was able to finish early so I could come to your showing. Looks like your little place had finally gotten the recognition it deserves, huh?"

"Oh, yes I'm sure grandad in dancing in his grave in happiness," said Merlin, sharing a look with his two friends. WIth Morgana and Gwen both remembering their past lives, it made Merlin feel a little less lonely. Gwaine and Percy seemed like they sometimes remembered, sometimes spewing out the kind of things only the Knights of the Round Table would know.

"Lance said he'd be a little late. There some kind of mishap over at the shop, I guess."

Lancelot and Gwen had found each other early. And it seemed like old times sometimes when they got together. Merlin believed with being around them constantly, Lance would soon remember his life at Arthur's FIrst Knight and one of Merlin's closest friends. Even though now they were as close as they were in Camelot.

"How's the wedding planning coming along? Not too long now, right?" Merlin asked, taking a sip of his champagne.

"Not to much left to do now. Just have to confirm with the church, the caterer, and the DJ. Once that's all set, that's just about everything. I'm so excited. I've been dreaming of this moment since I was little and now, with Lance, it's finally coming true." Gwen sighed happily, making Merlin and Morgana fake vomit.

"Please, keep your mushiness to yourself. None of what to catch that." Morgana laughed and danced away from Gwen as she hit her with her purse. Merlin laughed as he watched his friends. Yeah, he wasn't lonely anymore.

Merlin spent the evening talking with his guests, ever the gracious host. Many were interested in buying his paintings while others were interested in the artists themselves. And a small part just wanted to talk about his grandfather and reminiscence.

Merlin sighed once he had a moment to himself and grabbed a bottle of water from the refreshment table.

"Excuse me, are you the owner of the Galley? Merlin Emrys?"

Turning around, Merlin had a response on his lips, but it died when he got a good look at the man in front of him.

It was Arthur.

Granted, an older and darker haired version of him, without his accent, but it was definitely Arthur.

The man seemed to also take a moment to compose himself. He felt as though he'd met him before, but couldn't place him anywhere. He shook himself out of his thoughts and thrust out his hand to him.

"I'm Damien Thorn. I'm a War Photographer and I was wondering if you'd be interested in showing some of my work."

Merlin snapped out of his trance and took the hand in front of him. "Yes, I'm Merlin Emrys. Nice to meet you, Damien. A war photographer you say? You don't look the type." Stupid Merlin, why'd you say something like that! Merlin mentally berated himself.

Damien only laughed putting his hand on his hip, "Yeah, I get that alot."

"Anyway, you said something about wanting me to put your work on display?"

"Yes. I've been trying to get my work noticed, for people to see what war was really like. And I know there's alot of other war photographers over there too. And that makes it hard for me to have anyone look at them," Damien explained. Merlin thought about it for a moment. Thinking about him being that close to war made him want to panic, but he was able to contain it.

"How about this? Meet me here tomorrow, as you can see I'm busy doing this tonight, and I'll take a look at your portfolio. Say about 10 am?" Merlin suggested. Damien's eyes immediately brightened and nodded.

"Yes, that'd be great. Thank you, Mr. Emrys. This means so much to me."

"Please, Mr. Emrys was my grandad. Call me Merlin." They shook hands again, the feeling of deja vu overcoming Damien before he made his goodbyes and left.

A second later, he went to find Morgana, practically pushing people out of his way when he finally caught sight of her.

"Morgana, I need to talk you!" Merlin hissed under his breath before he dragged her to a secluded corner of the room.

"Merlin, what is going on? You're acting like a crazy person!" Morgana said.

"I saw him."

"Saw who exactly?"

"I saw him, Morgana." Merlin stressed the him part. Morgana gasped and covered her mouth with her hands.

"You saw him? You saw Arthur?"

"I did more than that. I talked to him. He goes by the name of Damien Thorn and he's older and his hair is darker, but I swear on my life it was him. And I haven't stopped freaking out since I saw him."

"That name sounds familiar. What did you two talk about?"

"He's a War Photographer and he asked me to look at his portfolio, to see if I would show any of his work in the gallery. We're meeting here at 10 in the morning to go over it." Morgana looked contemplative for a moment, before speaking,

"All right, I think you should go through with meeting him. But Merlin?"

"Yes, Morgana?"

"Be careful, all right? Try not to get your hopes up that he'll remember you and Camelot, and everything else. Alright?" Merlin smiled, glad to know Morgana was looking out for him.

"I will be. And I know I can't get my hopes up. Maybe I can get to know Damien instead of trying to find Arthur. Who knows what could happen, you know?" Morgana smiled,

"That's the spirit."

After the last guest left, they began cleaning up. Merlin was able to clear his mind for a little while, but that lasted only a little while. He locked up and headed back to his apartment.

Sighing, he unlocked his door and his cat, who he adoringly named after Kilgharrah, came to greet him. He bent down and pet him for a moment before locking his door and going to his bedroom. He stripped out of his clothes down to his boxers and collapsed on the bed. Soon, his exhaustion took its toll and he floated off to dreamland.