Disclaimer: Merlin and its characters don't belong to my, though I wish they did.
A/N: I love the idea of Merlin being a young uncle and forging a sweet relationship with Arthur's son. Not to mention the fact that both Merlin and Arthur would probably become even better friends because of their shared love for Arthur's son. So here goes:
What's in a name?
As it turns out, the Once and Future King and the Lord Emrys could handle anything with relative ease. They could battle armies, slay monsters, outsmart bandits and beat deadly diseases, but it was the sight of a new-born child that reduced them to tears. Both men stood awkwardly beside Queen Guinevere's bed, one gazed lovingly as the other held onto the heir of Camelot.
The small prince bundled in a small blanket gazed up at them, blue eyes sparking with curiosity.
"He's beautiful' Merlin croaked between tears.
"Of course he is. He's my son after all." Arthur replied with a slightly choked voice, though he'd deny to his dying day. He was absolutely not crying.
"You mean he's our son?"
"Of course. Our son." Arthur quickly corrected, lest Gwen impale him with her glare.
Gwen smiled happily at the revision, then sighed contentedly as she took in the sight of the three most important men in her life.
"So what shall we call him?" She asked. Merlin perked up at the question, finally letting his gaze stray from his nephew. A mischievous glint in his eyes warned the two royals of what was to come next.
"How about Bob. He looks like a Bob." Gwen made a face at the suggestion, while Arthur rolled his eyes. "No? What about Mo?"
"No." came Arthur's rather disinterested reply.
"Larry?"
"No."
"Gib"
"Merlin."
"Well I guess you can call him Merlin but that might get confusing. Oh I know…"
"Please Merlin" Arthur interjected "stop trying to use your brain. Nothing good ever comes of it. Besides, I've already thought of a name. "
"You have?" Arthur nodded smugly, still not bothering to look up from where his eyes were transfixed on his son. "Well, go on then. What's your brilliant suggestion?"
"He's going to be called Goliath."
"Golliath, as in the monster Goliath. You want your son to be named after a monster." So many insults invaded Merlin's mind at that second. It was difficult to decide which one to choose. He didn't get a chance to pick, as Arthur decided to dig himself into a bigger hole.
"Yes. It shows power, size and strength It's great." The young king looked so proud of himself, it was both amusing and annoying at the same time.
"Urm no actually, it shows that both his father and uncle have no skill in coming up with names." Both Arthur and Merlin looked affronted but couldn't argue with the woman who had just given birth to the heir of Camelot.
"So what do you think we should call him?" Merlin asked apprehensively. Gwen stared into the deep blue eyes of her new-born son, looking for inspiration. Then, as if by magic, a name finally presented itself. "We'll call him Aaron."
"Aaron." Arthur repeated almost reverently. "I like it."
Merlin nodded once in approval, but couldn't resist. "His nickname is still Larry."
"You're an idiot" was Arthur's only response. No one disagreed.