Merlin arrived in A&E at the same time as Gwen and the cakes. She offered him one "What's this for someone's birthday?"
"Yes Leon's! You gave him the chance to have a go at Uther, he's wanted to do that for years" she said with a grin. Leon overheard and added
"It felt good the pompous man, what right does he think he has to try to interfere in his son's life so much! Not to mention making spurious complaints about my staff!" Leon was grinning from ear to ear.
Merlin blushed "Thanks boss but I could have dealt with him, I knew I was right, we all make mistakes sometimes, but that defiantly wasn't one"
"Like Gwen said it was a pleasure, he made my life hell when I was with Morgana, but I kept quiet not wanting him to take it out on her. Now I haven't got to" Leon grabbed a cake "Best get one before this lot eat them all." He nodded to Merlin "Come into my office please I wanted to ask you something"
Once the two men were sat down Leon looked at his registrar "Firstly I wanted to say what an excellent job you did of Arthur's arm yesterday. He came in this morning as he wanted to change his nok to his sister on the files. "I talked him into letting me look at his arm. Arthur has been my best friend since primary school, he's not always easy to put up with but he is a good man." Leon smiled
"I can see where he gets it from!" Merlin said without hesitation.
"Maybe Merlin, but don't judge him, Uther is not an easy father and without a mum for most of his childhood Arthur had a hard time. Uther wants perfection and uses intimidation to get his way" Leon hesitated "But that's not what I wanted to see you about. I wanted to ask you a big favour …. Hear me out before you agree" he added quickly as he could see Merlin was about to agree.
"I like most doctors have never mastered nerve blocks and so never use them, I wondered if I am ever on duty with you whether you would let me observe? What you did with Arthur impressed me, I know you've used them several times since you've been here. I like to think none of us are too old to learn" Leon hoped his registrar didn't feel he had to.
Merlin grinned "Of course you can Sir, to be honest I just seem to have the knack. But it is more effective than infiltration for a larger area. I was lucky I had a good teacher"
The two men sent the next twenty minutes discussing the technique then Leon looked at his watch "Thank you, now I have a meeting, go home, and don't think I don't know where you slept last night and why! Also that you helped out on the department" he clapped Merlin on the back "You are a real asset to us, but look after yourself ok?"
Merlin took the opportunity offered and headed down the hill, he wanted to find out whether Arthur still needed his bed, if he did then he was going to ask if he could stay at Arthur's it was only fair. When he got in it was to find Morgana changing his sheets. "Hi Merlin, I took Arthur home so your bed is yours again, thank you for that it was very kind of you and Arthur did appreciate it"
"No problem, you needn't have changed the sheets again though" he told her
"Fairs fair you gave Arthur clean ones. Now I will cook the meal tonight"
"Why not have a takeaway?" Merlin suggested "I quite fancy a curry and they are just easier to get in"
"Good idea, I think I'll have some beer in the fridge or maybe some whiskey somewhere" Morgana offered remembering her brother wanted to know what Merlin drank.
"No for me, I don't actually like alcohol much, I have it at the pub sometimes it's just easier but I would rather have tea" Merlin said honestly.
"If we order it early enough we could eat tin the garden" Morgana suggested with a grin "That way the place won't stink all evening"
So in the early evening the two of them were sat in the garden enjoying a leisurely meal. "You know what I am thinking of getting a hot tub" Morgana told him "I thought it would be great to relax in. Leon's brother in law runs a firm that sells them and I can get a good discount. What do you think?"
"Its your house Morgana, but aren't they expensive?"
"They aren't cheap, but I can get on for about half price and I thought since I had your rent coming in I might treat myself instead of going abroad this year. You could use it whenever you wanted to"
"You're very kind Morgana, I would pay extra as I'm sure running costs are high" Merlin liked the idea especially after a hectic shift.
Morgana was back on duty the next day and so Merlin heard no more. Until a couple of weeks later when Merlin went down for breakfast on his day off he found Morgana in the kitchen with Percy. The new Paramedic had become increasingly close to Morgana over the last couple of weeks so Merlin wasn't that surprised to see him there, although he knew he hadn't been there all night.
"Hi Percy, you're up and out bright and early" Merlin said to him. The big man was very quiet when in company but was always more talkative if you ever got him on his own.
"Yeh, well I've been out for my run and Morgana asked if I would pop round" he said smiling.
"The hot tub is coming this morning and I thought we could try it out!" Morgana grinned "That's after you have both helped me sort it out."
Merlin rolled his eyes "When did you order that?"
"I spoke to the company and they had a demo model going really reasonable so I grabbed it. That was last week and they ran yesterday to ask if they could deliver it" Morgana explained "It's a good job I have that concreted area just where I thought I would put it"
Merlin just had time to grab something to eat and dress before the lorry arrived "I figured I'd have a shower after you have made me all hot and sweaty" he told his friend. As it happened none of them had hardly anything to do. The company had sent all the people they needed to fit up the hot tub and within a couple of hours it was wired in and set up. Now it was full and the water was heating. Once it was all tested Morgana paid and the men went on their way.
"It won't be ready to use until tomorrow and as everything is done I guess that's it" Morgana said smiling
"Well in that case I'll leave you two love birds and go and have my shower. I think I'll go down town and get my shopping in." Merlin grinned as Morgana looked at Percy and blushed
"You won't tell anyone will you?" she pleaded "Its not secret but it is new"
"Your business, but I think you will find several people have noticed…..maybe not your brother yet, but them Percy is big enough to eat him for breakfast" Merlin grinned. "Oh by the way just so you know I will be off Friday and Saturday but I am going away so I won't be about, just in case you have plans"
Morgana realising what Merlin was suggesting picked up a cushion and threw at him "Where you going?" she demanded
Merlin turned an just before he disappeared he replied "North Wales, Mum's grave" and he was gone
Percy looked at Morgana "I didn't know Merlin's mum was dead"
"Yeh a couple of years ago, as far as I know he has no living family" Morgana said softly.
"Oh I think he does, he has to be the most popular man I know, from what I see at the hospital Gwen and Freya have adopted him and so have you" Percy hugged his girlfriend. "So what are we going to do now?"
Merlin's trip to Wales gave Morgana and Percy the privacy to continue their relationship and Merlin was happy for them, they seemed a lovely couple. Morgana for her part noticed that Merlin seemed quieter when he returned from his trip, but other than saying she was there if he wanted to talk left him alone. They had fallen into an easy relationship and it was soon clear to Morgana that Merlin as a 'keeper' as a tenant so after six weeks she told him that as far as she was concerned the trial period was over. She knew he had belongings in store and suggest he move them in to save money. So Merlin spent his next day off arranging to get a few things from store and having the delivered to the house and making his room more his own. His book shelf was the first to be filled. Then as he got the rest of his things in place he sat down satisfied. Although he did wonder of he would ever be in a position to get all his things from storage as some of the bulker items would have to wait until he had his own house. They were things he had kept of his mothers. Collecting a box he had left downstairs he took it into the kitchen to unpack. Inside was his slow cooker and his set of kitchen knives from store. He placed the knives in one of the draws allocated to him and the slow cooker in the cupboard below. He had always found it a useful device allowing his to come home to a hot meal without risk of it being ruined if he was late for some reason. It also had the benefit of being very easy to use.
Merlin then decided to start getting things ready for that evening Morgana had invited the gang round for a BBQ probably the last of the year as it was now September and getting colder. Although everyone was bringing something he need to get things set up in the garden. That way it would be ready for when Morgana got home. Everything was pretty much sorted when his landlady got back.
"You are an angel Merlin" she told him giving him a kiss on the cheek. "What is it with all you guys now growing beards. You, Leon, Gwaine and now I see Lance has one going?"
Merlin grinned "I've had one for a couple of years now, I doubt Lance will keep his I don't think Gwen likes it"
"Why have you got one?" Morgana persisted
"I thought it might make me look older" he said flippantly handing her a cup of tea "Now go up and sort yourself out it will take you a couple of hours"
Morgana grinned "Yes dear!"
A couple of hours later and everyone one had arrived, Gwaine had taken over the bar and Percy and Leon the BBQ. The hot tub was being used and was very popular. Merlin was sat in one of the chairs drinking his cup of tea.
"Merlin as you aren't in the tub yet would you mind getting out some more burgers from the fridge?" Leon called out
As always good natured Merlin stood up and headed indoors, as he came back out he walked into Arthur who was carrying a couple of glasses of red wine, which Arthur managed to mostly save, but some splashed down Merlin's white t shirt. Over the months the two men had developed an uneasy truce it was clearly too good to last.
"You clumsy idiot, good job it didn't go over my new trousers!" Arthur snapped
"Maybe not but look at my t shirt!" Merlin said
Morgana in a hope of keeping the peace intervened "Take it of Merlin and I've got some soda water that will get it out"
Merlin glared at Arthur and went to walk back indoors. Morgana followed "Hand it over before you go upstairs the quicker the better"
"Yes Merlin, stop being such a shy boy, we've all seen a bare chest before yours can't be any different" Arthur said sarcastically.
Gwen and Lance had already tried to get Merlin in the hot tub and he had refused amid teasing he was shy. Merlin had used the tub but only when it was just him and Morgana and even then he had kept an old t shirt on saying he caught the sun easily.
Merlin turned and glared at Arthur the comments had clearly touched a nerve "And how would you know" he demanded "What do you know about anything you conceited arse" with that he took waked off.
Arthur was shocked and surprised at the reaction. Gwaine looked at the blonde "Well done Princess, why did you upset Merlin?"
Morgana glared at her brother and went upstairs to find Merlin in the bathroom rinsing out his t shirt he had already got a new one on. She had been surprised at Merlin's reaction but supposed Arthur must have hit a nerve somewhere. "You alright Merlin?
Merlin looked at Morgana shame faced "Fine, sorry about that, a bit tetchy I guess. I'll be down soon"
It was an hour later when a very subdued Merlin walked back out into the garden. It had taken all his courage to do so, but the alternative would have been to run again and he had already done that twice. He knew he had acted stupidly and he needed to face his friends, If he didn't the man who had done this to him would have won. As he walked out Arthur was the first to speak. "Sorry if I upset you" he said simply but sincerely.
Merlin nodded, Gwaine walked up to Merlin, the two had become quite close in the past few weeks, he simply hugged Merlin and led him to a chair and went to get him a cup of tea. Although the atmosphere was strained people continued to talk. The party finished earlier than normal and by ten it was just Morgana, Merlin Percy, Arthur and Leon left. Leon stood up "I best go do you want a lift Arthur?"
Arthur looked up and took the hint "Yeh I'll get my jacket." As he went to stand Merlin's voice was heard "Thank you and I'm sorry, I'm not sure why I flipped"
Arthur looked at the other man "I guess we all do sometime. I shouldn't have been so rude"
"No maybe not" then with a trace of his old grin "Did you just apologise Pendragon?"
Morgana knowing what Merlin was trying to do chuckled "Make the most of it Merlin, it won't ever be heard again. I've known him most of my life and it's a first"
"I resent that! I do apologise it's just that I don't usually have to as it is so seldom I am wrong"
Percy stood up "I best get going to, I'll see you tomorrow Morgs" He kissed his girlfriend, earning him a glare from Arthur who still wasn't sure what he thought of what was clearly a budding romance.
Once everyone had left Merlin stood up and went into the garden checking that everything had been collected and then helped Morgana to put the cover over the hot tub. As they walked back indoors Merlin turned to Morgana "I'm sorry for ruining your party, you are a good friend and you didn't deserve that."
"It wasn't your fault Merlin, if it was any ones it was Arthur's he can be so sarcastic, I wonder sometimes how he is such a good copper"
Merlin looked at Morgana "I expect he's different then, we seem to have always managed to spark off on another and that might be my fault to. He sort of reminds me of someone who I have history with, I didn't realise it until the other day. As I said I'm sorry I'm a bit screwed up emotionally sometimes"
"Merlin I won't pry, but you know where I am if you need to talk" Morgana looked at Merlin with concern.
"Yeh thanks but I do have someone I talk to ok. I cope most of the time, I just have times when something triggers me." He paused realising he was saying more than he wanted to "Good night Morgana" Merlin walked up to his room and closed the door.
Morgana followed but it was ages before she fell asleep. That night when Merlin woke shouting from a nightmare Morgana got up and made him a cup of tea. She went into his room and gave it to him and then left when he made it clear he didn't want her there.
The next morning when she got up, Morgana heard Merlin talking to someone on his phone. So she went straight downstairs and stayed there until he came down later. There was no way she wanted to overhear anything, if he had a source of help than he needed to know he would have privacy. As promised no one mentioned anything to either Merlin or anyone else.
But that didn't stop Arthur for one thinking. He had begun to think that Merlin had been in an abusive relationship. The photo, facial scarring and then his reaction to seeing Arthur's own knife wound, even if he had covered up quickly. He had decided that was Merlin's reason for moving and felt angry that Merlin had taken his similarities to the ex-partner and become antagonistic. Like his Uncle had told him everyone has secrets. But he had had to push it with his sarcastic comments and now he knew Merlin must feel exposed. Arthur was a good cop, he was able normally to see the other persons point of view and keep calm, but he knew that Merlin has somehow managed to bypass that, but Arthur was also honest enough with himself to realise any animosity the two men had had was more his fault than Merlin's and that he had used the fact that he had moved in with Morgana to justify his feelings. That made for an uncomfortable truth.
A couple of days later Arthur had a phone call from his Uncle Tristan "Hi Arthur, look we are coming down for a few days, your aunty wants to see a friend, came we stay at the flat again?"
Arthur smiled he not only loved his uncle and his wife but they had twenty month old daughter that he adored. "Of course you can. When will you be here?"
"Wednesday afternoon, should get to your place about flourish depending on the traffic. We want to stay until Sunday night. That way we should have time to see you as well. When are you off?"
"That's good I'm on a night shift Tuesday and Wednesday then I have four days off. So if you can let me sleep Thursday for a while I'm all yours. Do you still have your key?"
They talked for a while then after making all the arrangements they needed to Arthur rang off.
Tristan and his wife Ann had married later in life and were delighted and surprised to find they were expecting their first child a few years previously. Ann was in her early forties so they knew it would be their only chance. Their little girl was the apple of their eye and couldn't have had two more devoted parents. It would be good to spend some time with them. Arthur was always pleased to see them and it was one of the reasons he had bought the flat he had. Other than his father, Morgana and his father's brother Agravaine, Tristian was Arthur's only family and had been a big influence in his life. Tristian was Arthur's uncle on his mother's side so not related to Morgana but they always included her in their visits being fond of the girl. So Arthur let Morgana know of the plans.
Tristian's wife meanwhile contacted Merlin about the visit. He had worked with her in Liverpool and they were very good friends and kept in touch. Ann Annis had been Merlin's consultant, she had used her maiden name for work purposes. Even if she hadn't De Bois wouldn't have made Merlin realise the connection with his old life and new. So it was a surprise when Ann mentioned when she rang. "We are staying with Tristian's nephew while we are here but we fully intend to spend some time with you. How have you been Merlin? Are you happier?"
Ann was one of the few people who knew Merlin very well and who he was able to open up to. "I'm ok, still a few nightmares but much better, its good, my landlady is great and I have several friends" he told her honestly.
"I sense a but " Ann said "What's the matter?".
"My landladies brother" Merlin said "He reminds me of Brad and we sort of argue a bit. He makes me realise I still have a long way to go I guess. It makes me want to move again but I know I can't"
"Are we going to meet this young lady? Or your friends from work. Gwen and Freya isn't it?" Ann asked him. She wanted to meet Merlin's support network although she already knew Merlin hadn't told them of his past.
"I don't know, funnily enough Morgana and her brother have people coming at the same time, they staying with her brother. But I guess you might meet Gwen or Freya I'll find out their shifts. But Ann I don't want them to know I'm not ready yet" Merlin pleaded. He liked to keep his past private he didn't want to talk about it.
Something clicked "Merlin is your landlady Morgana Le Fey?"
"Yes, do you know her?" Merlin demanded
"Arthur Pendragon is Tristian's nephew! It's a small world."
Ann heard Merlin's breathe hitch and she sensed he was beginning to panic "Merlin listen to me, we won't say anything I promise, not if you don't want us to, but Arthur is nothing like Brad. Your secret is safe with us, you know that we owe you far too much love"
"They can't know…..please" Merlin told her "I don't want them to"
"Then they won't. Merlin you are the bravest, kindest man I know but you really need to think about what you are doing. No one would ever blame you for anything. Not one thing that happened was your fault. In fact you are a hero in the trust sense of the word" Ann wanted to be there with the raven haired man to comfort him and make sure he was alright.
"Mum was my fault!" Merlin muttered "She would be alive if not for me"
"Your mother's death was not your fault Merlin, you know that deep inside, she wouldn't want you thinking that way either." Ann felt so much for the young man that in many ways she thought of as a son. She wished he had let them help him more.
"I'll see you Wednesday, I'll ring you but I'm working most days so we will need to sort things out. I'll text you my duties" With that Merlin cut her off.
Ann spoke to her husband "Did you know it was Morgana that Merlin was living with?"
"I did, Arthur rang me just after he was worried and wanted to know if I had heard of Merlin" Tristian admitted
"And you said?"
"I was as vague as I could be and told him not to dig, Ann sooner or later it will come out that we know both and why, I won't lie. But nor will I compromise Merlin or Arthur. Both are good men and hopefully one day will be friends"
"Unlikely, Merlin says Arthur reminds him of Brad, that's a wound that is still raw, Merlin loved that man so much" Ann told her husband "What he did will always hurt Merlin and you know that"
Well let's hope this trip will bring them all together, but don't underestimate Arthur, I won't say a word but that boys a good cop he will work it out and I don't see how we can stop that. As for Brad, he was never the one for Merlin and he proved that. Merlin wants…..needs someone who will give him back his confidence, yes he's still a great doctor but he needs more than that in his life " Tristian hugged his wife
"And you think that's Arthur!" Ann looked at her husband in astonishment "Your wrong, once it was pointed out I could see they will never be friends, not because Arthur isn't a great man, he is, but Merlin was to hurt and damaged by Brad for that to ever work. I worry about Merlin ever finding anyone."
