No Longer Alone

by merlinfan42

Merlin is strong of mind- everyone knows that. But appearances can be deceiving. Beneath the strong exterior is a crumbling interior. Merlin turns to physical pain to make the mental pain go away. Yet, maybe all he needs is a renewing of friendship. (I'm TERRIBLE at summaries... let the work explain itself. M for some self-harm.

2. Introduction

INTRODUCTION

Merlin never let anything get him down for long. Everyone knew that. He was like a duck with water just rolling off his back.

Like the time he drank the poison for Arthur. Obviously Arthur had saved him by getting the mortius flower, but Merlin had pulled through quickly afterwards, and was back to being his usual clumsy, and according to Arthur, idiotic self.

Then there was the time the veil between the two worlds of the living and dead was torn and Merlin saved Arthur's life. He was saved by magic, yes. But he was back saving Arthur's hide within a day.

And of course, he could withstand the misery and insults that Arthur rained down on him. He would just respond with some cheeky insult and then duck out of the way when Arthur threw vases or pillows his way. Sometimes both if it was a particularly bad day.

It was like he simply cared about other people, especially Arthur, more than himself. Almost anyone who interacted with him could see that. They noticed he was always cheerful, kind, and friendly to everyone he saw. They had no idea what lay beneath the happy exterior.