A/N: Still have writer's block, I hope this doesn't sound too dumb. =D I LOVE REVIEWS!
chapter7
Merlin stood over the hot stove making sure to let the soup from a can overheat because seriously, who likes cold soup? He reached inside the cupboard and pulled out a small bowl the grabbed the pot handle and gently poured the soup in the bowl. As he put the pot in the sink Merlin was surprised when lips softly kissed his right cheek.
"You're up early." Cenred whispered.
"So are you." Merlin smiled and lifted the bowl. "Want some?"
"Mm." Cenred sniffed then grabbed two spoons from the dish rack and followed Merlin to the kitchen table. They sat next to each other, both grabbing a spoon then turning the soup.
Merlin lifted a spoon full and was about to bring it to his mouth but Cenred's hand stopped him half way.
"Wait, it's hot. You're going to burn."
"It's ok, soup is supposed to be hot." He made to bring the spoon to his mouth again but Cenred grabbed it.
"Merlin, love I don't have a fire hose in case you explode into flames."
Merlin laughed out. "I'll be fine! It's soup! I always eat it this way."
"Merlin..." Cenred exhaled and instead pulled the soup towards him.
"Hey!" Merlin pouted, but his frown quickly turned to a small smile when he noticed Cenred blowing the soup and stirring. Merlin brought his elbows to the table and leaned on his hand eyeing Cenred sideways.
Cenred brought the spoon to Merlin. "Here, try it."
Merlin sucked it in bottom lip before opening his mouth and gently slurping in the soup.
"Hm?" Cenred hummed in question.
"It's perfect." Merlin whispered.
Cenred nodded and continued blowing the soup.
"Just like you are perfect." Merlin whispered once more.
Cenred stopped blowing the soup and looked up to see Merlin's eyes staring deep into his own. The man lightly laughed. 'I'm anything but perfect Merlin."
Merlin's frown slowly faded. "You're perfect to me."
Cenred shook his head gently. "You are too beautiful of a person Merlin. But if you knew my past, you wouldn't be saying these things."
Merlin frowned more. "Everyone's done things they aren't proud of."
Cenred stared into Merlin's sea-blue eyes before he sighed and continued lightly shaking the soup. "I was 19 when I was forced into a gang."
Merlin blinked and his mouth lightly dropped.
"They beat me until I agreed to join." Cenred let the spoon go and leaned forward on the table. "That was the very same day they jumped these... two innocent young women." He shook his head, his brows narrowed in anger. "They were beautiful. I refused to join in the filthy act the bastards were doing, so instead two held me and made me watch as the others..." He sighed and forced his eyes to look up from the table and at Merlin instead. "Eight men attacked two women. Eight. On two women." He said unbelievably.
Merlin shook his head in disgust.
"They had no chance." Cenred whispered. "I was... so happy when I heard one survived. About a month later she contacted me and told me she wanted to meet."
Merlin blinked in confusion and shook his head. "How did she kn-"
"I'm the one who stood by their side while the police came." Cenred quickly answered. "She knew I was with the men but she still befriended me."
Merlin reached out and grabbed the man's hand and gently squeezed as he whispered. "That's because she knew. She knew you really didn't want to be there. She knew you were a good person when you wanted them to stop."
Cenred shook his head. "I should've let them kill me instead of joining." He exhaled loudly. "I can still see her friend's face when she died in my arms."
Merlin sighed sadly. "Oh, Cenred."
"It's my fault she died, Merlin. I should've done more instead of standing back and watching."
Merlin shook his head. "They were holding you back, you said it yourself. You did what you could, and the proof is when that girl contacted you... What did she want anyway?" He asked curiously.
Cenred cleared his throat. "She uh... invited me to the funeral."
Merlin looked down at the table and nodded.
"I didn't go."
Merlin's eyes trailed back up to Cenred. "What? Why not?"
"Her family was there, Merlin, they didn't want to see me. I tried contacting them many times before that, but they threatened to get a restraining order."
Merlin sighed low before a small smile crossed his lips. "Then you know what you have to do."
Cenred shook his head in confusion.
Merlin gestured with his head and pulled the man to his feet.
XOXOXOXO
Cenred stood over the small tombstone that read "Mary Nicole Keys Born January 1, 1987 Death April 21, 2007", his mind blanked out for a while and he didn't know what to think, that was until he felt fingers entwine with his. Cenred looked to his left to see Merlin smile and nod, so Cenred dug in his pocket and pulled out a single red rose. He laid the rose on the tombstone.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't save you." He whispered.
Merlin leaned on the man's shoulder. "I think she forgives you."
Review Please :)
