Title: Home

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Chapter Two:

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He watches from the sidelines as she goes on date after date with Nelson the "Pilot". They've agreed that he doesn't need to meet Nelson... okay, he insisted that he doesn't need to meet Nelson. It has been two months and Morgana won't shut up about all the great things and deeds her new boyfriend has done. Apparently, the man can do anything.

Honestly, Merlin thinks it's all bogus. The stories about saving the baby seals, killing a Great White shark with his bare hands, delivering a newborn lion cub into the world... all of it! He's drawing the line at the story about feeding 500 starving penguins during his trip to Antarctica. First of all, where the bloody hell does he find time to do this? And second, what the bloody hell was he doing in Antartica?! No one on this entire planet is that great, no matter who the bloody hell he is!

Merlin bites back a groan as his best friend goes on about Nelson's latest achievement. "...and then he told me that he saved the little girl from the burning building by jumping out the window." Morgana gushes and smiles at him.

"And neither he, or the little girl had injuries?"

"Not a scratch."

Merlin rolls his eyes and wonders aloud. "Do you actually hear what you're saying?"

Morgana's eyebrows furrow at him. "What- you don't believe me?"

"Oh, I believe you. I don't believe him and all the lies he's telling you."

She glares at him angrily. "They're not lies."

"Oh, come on!" Merlin gets up from his seat on his couch. "He fed 500 starving penguins?!"

"It's possible!"

"Five-hundred starving penguins?!" Merlin asks incredulously with wide eyes. "Why the bloody hell are 500 penguins starving in the middle of the ocean? There are literally billions and billions of fishes in the sea! And who the hell does he think he is? Jesus?!"

His best friends face contorts into fury as she too gets up from her place on the couch. "What is going on with you?!" She asks incredulously.

"Nothing! What's going on with you? You don't see how many lies this guy has fed you? You're not a starving penguin, Morgana. Wake up and look at the facts."

"What facts?!" She yells.

"He's a liar and he's using you to win his stupid case!"

Morgana's nose flares as she breathes heavily and stares at him. "Why do you hate him so much?"

Merlin scoffs, rolling his eyes as he folds his arms across his chest. "Quit avoiding the truth, Morgana."

"Quit avoiding the question, Merlin." She shoots back venomously.

"He's a liar!"

"Why are you so sure he's lying?!"

Merlin wants to shake her until she wakes up from this ridiculous dream she's got going on, but he doesn't. He just stares disapprovingly at her. "He's poisoning your mind, Morgana."

"Oh, kind of like what you're doing right now?" She fires back.

"What?"

She scoffs, "You're the one who's trying to poison my mind against Nelson." She says harshly. "Instead of being happy for me, you're jealous."

Merlin's eyes widen as his heart stops beating for a moment. Had she known about his feelings? Does she know how bitter he feels every time she talks about her stupid lying boyfriend? Did she figure out why he's acting the way he is? He doesn't know. "Morgana, I- it's not like that-"

"No," She says sternly with a shake of her head. "I know exactly what it's like. You can't stand to see me spending so much time with someone, and I'm no longer here all the time."

"Oh." Merlin almost deflates in relief at that. "Errrr, right." His voice cracks. "That's... yeah, that's what's happening." He lies through his teeth and wonders if she even knows just how much time she spends in his flat. The woman has a bloody dresser in his room, and half the things in his flat are hers! She even has a key!

"Merlin," Morgana interrupts. "You'll always be my best friend no matter what. You'll always be the first person I call or go to when I need help with something... but I can't always rely on you for everything." She looks sadly at him, "So... I think it's best that we both take some time to cool off... away from each other."

"Wait, what?" Merlin's eyes widen. What the bloody hell?!

She looks away and fidgets nervously with her hands. "Nelson doesn't like the fact that I spend so much time with you."

He wants to spontaneously combust. He wants to yank his hair out and scream at her to wake the hell up. He wants to go straight to Nelson's flat and beat him to a bloody pulp. But he does none of those things. He values Morgana's friendship too much. So he does nothing but shrug. His jaw clenches tightly as he tries to will his sadness away. "Fine."

"Merlin, I-"

"Just go, Morgana." He doesn't look at her. He looks at the wall on the other side of the living room. "Do what you have to do... it's okay. I'll be fine."

"Okay." Morgana says softly. He watches her collect her purse and phone, and then kiss his cheek before walking out of his flat. His chest aches as the door closes.

As he looks around the living room, he realizes that he's no longer home.

...

Days go by without a single phone call or text between the two. He doesn't mind it when he's at work, but as soon as he walks into his flat, he misses her instantly. It's quiet and empty without her, and almost everything reminds him of her.

When he's in the kitchen, he's reminded of when they're cooking together, or having a food fight. When he's in the shower, he's reminded of her pounding on the door every morning and yelling at him not to use all the hot water. When he's in the living room, he's reminded of how she would curl up into his side while he channel surfs. When he's in his bedroom, her things are everywhere and her scent is in his sheets.

Anyone else would've thought they were married. But they knew what they were and what they would always be. Best friends.

Sighing heavily, Merlin drops his work bag by the door and begins undressing. He's pulling off his tie and shirt, dropping it on the floor as he makes his way to the bedroom. Just as he begins to unbuckle his belt, a sound coming from his living room makes him freeze. He backpedals slowly, and turns, nearly having a heart attack when he sees her, Morgana, standing in the middle of his living room, staring at him with wide eyes.

He's supposed to be angry at her, but in that moment, he couldn't. He's missed her too much. Clearing his throat, he glances into the hallway where he dropped his shirt. It looks too far, and quite frankly, he doesn't care that he's shirtless. When he glances back at Morgana, he sees a strange look in her eyes as they glide over his naked chest before resting for a moment on his groin area.

It's dead silent, neither one saying anything for a long time. Morgana is the one to break first, sighing heavily and running a hand through her hair. "Hi."

"Hey." Merlin manages. He pauses before asking, "what are you doing here?"

Morgana bites her lip and look at her shoes. "I- I don't-" she cuts herself off twice before sighing heavily again and looking at him with an exasperated look. "I miss you."

He stares. On the outside, he seems composed. But he's mentally melting completely into the floorboards of his flat as he stares at her longingly. He doesn't give in though. He knows that he needs time to fully accept the fact that he's never going to be the guy she wants… at least not in the way he wants her to want him. He's always going to be the best friend… might as well be the gay best friend since he's sure that Morgana sees him as only a friend. He digs his hands into the pockets of his jeans and rocks back and forth on the balls of his feet. "Have you come to get some of your things?" he asks a bit too softly.

Morgana stares at him for a few moments before shaking her head. "I just… I thought I'd stop by and see how you're doing." she shrugs, trying to come off as nonchalant, but her voice gives away her inner turmoil. "Its been a little over a week since we last saw each other."

It's Merlin's turn to shrug and he does so with a very convincing air of nonchalance. "I'm doing fine…" his heart breaks a little at the crestfallen look on her face, knowing that she expected a little more than that. So he adds quickly, "And you?"

She smiles a tiny smile and takes a step forward. "I'm… okay. Thank you for asking."

He nods, all while chanting in his head, Do Not Give In!

There's a sudden knock on the door, and Merlin's eyebrows furrow curiously. He wasn't expecting anyone, so… he looks at Morgana. "Did you order food or something?"

She bites her lip, and a nervous look creeps up her face.

Merlin knows that look, and his heart sinks immediately, for he has just figured out exactly who's at his door.

"Actually," Morgana begins softly. "Nelson insisted that he meet you, and… I said okay."

Honestly, he didn't see that coming. And he sure as hell didn't know he could feel such anger and annoyance at Morgana for inviting her boyfriend of all people, to his flat.

"Is that okay with you?" Morgana asks warily.

Merlin's jaw clenches as he tries his hardest not to glare. "It looks like I don't have much of a choice. Seeing as how he's already here." he sighs, shaking his head. "I'm going to change real quick. Let him in." without another word, he walks down the hall and into his bedroom, trying his hardest not to slam the bloody door. He doesn't bother looking for anything nice to wear, only throwing on an old t-shirt, buckling his belt again, and then walking back out of his bedroom and into the living room.

He's not sure what he expected, but the man standing beside Morgana, he hates to admit it to himself, could've been his older brother. The only differences, was Nelson has brown eyes, a longer nose, slightly bigger frame, and like Morgana had mentioned the other day, healthier hair.

"Ah, you must be Merlin." Nelson grins widely, and Merlin instantly regrets ever thinking they had similar features. Nelson had a weird grin that immediately rubbed him the wrong way.

"And you must be the miracle worker." he couldn't resist saying. At Nelson's confused look, he continues, "Morgana has already filled me in on all your… interesting adventures."

Nelson laughs and nods, crossing the room and taking his hand before shaking it roughly. "Ah, yes. I've heard much about you as well."

Merlin's eyes flicker towards his best friend, only to see her biting her lip harshly in that way she does when she's nervous. He mentally shrugs as he looks back to the man in front of him. "Well…" he's not sure where to go from there, and he's not sure he wants to go anywhere from there. He just wants this night to be over already. But for Morgana's sake, he offers to make them all a cup of tea. Nelson looks instantly delighted, and Merlin excuses himself before heading to the kitchen.

He's boiling the hot water when Morgana walks into the kitchen with a faraway look on her face. Usually, he'd immediately go to her, pull her into his arms, and tell her to give him the full story of what's bothering her. But they're not really back to that yet, so he stays exactly where he is and says nothing but stare at her.

"I thought you'd like some help." Morgana says softly.

Merlin stares some more before looking at the pot of water on the stove. "It's just tea."

Morgana nods, then shrugs. "I know… it's just… I— I thought— I mean, I…" she sighs and looks at the floor. "Why are we acting like this?" she asks ever so softly.

It breaks his heart to see her this way, all nervous and fidgety… but he can't bring himself to touch her or say what he really wants to say. It's the only way for him to accept her relationship with Nelson. If he is to move on from these ridiculous feelings he has for her, he has to stay away from her. It's easier said than done, but it needs to be done… for the both of them. He doesn't answer her question. He just shrugs at her.

Morgana runs her fingers through her hair. "I haven't been sleeping very well." she laughs humorlessly. "I guess I've gotten used to sleeping in your bed."

Sighing, Merlin decides to throw her a tiny bone. "Me too."

She nods slowly. After a few long moments of silence, she sighs exasperatedly and looks at him with questioning eyes. "Why did I ever think it would be okay for us to take a break?" she's not asking anyone in particular, but Merlin still answers for her.

"Because your boyfriend doesn't approve of you having another man in your life. Especially one you practically lived with."

Morgana nods again, pursing her lips and staring at him. "He has his final court hearing next week. If we win, he'll have shared custody of his son and…" she trails off, not sure of how to end that sentence.

"And Nelson will introduce you."

"Yeah." she says slowly.

Merlin wants to roll his eyes at that. He's pretty sure there's some sort of rule about lawyers dating their clients because it creates a biased case, but he doesn't say anything about that. He doesn't say anything about how he has a bad feeling about Nelson, and he doesn't say anything about how he thinks he's a pathological liar. What he can and does say is, "Be careful."

"Of what."

Merlin shrugs, "Of everything." Before he can say more, the pot begins bubbling harshly, indicating its boiling temperature. Their conversation ends there when Merlin turns and grabs a tray, placing three teacups in it's center and handing it to Morgana. Like their usual routine, Morgana takes the tray to the living room while he mixes the tea leaves into the pot of hot water.

…

She's not sure what's happening to her, but she's surer than anything else in her life that it's something she never thought would ever happen. She has feelings for her best friend and she's not sure of what to do with them. She's dating Nelson, and he's a great guy… at the same time, she thinks she'll start to lose her mind if she has to keep staying away from Merlin.

And the struggle continues.

…

A/N: I know that I promised a whole lot of updates on my other fics, but I really can't control the way my life is rolling. So I'm putting "The Thief" on a short hiatus (At least until my work schedule is back on track), and I'll be updating "He is Mine" next FOR REAL! As for those of you who sent me story suggestions, I apologize if it takes a little while to get those up. I'm working on them little by little. Thank you so much for reading this, and please let me know what you think.

-McDiggin'It