A/N: Well it has been a while, hasn't it? I fear that my muse was gone for a while, but it's now partly back, so expect more chapters soon in the future. Sorry if the first part of the story seems a bit rushed, I'm not that great at writing actions. Again I like to remind everyone that I'm not English, so forgive me for my mistakes, but do point them out so I can correct them/ learn from them. Enjoy this chapter!
I hope that everyone has had a great Christmas and I wish everyone a great new year!
Warning: This chapter contains violence and cursing. (Oh and slash ;) ).
X
Arthur threw himself to the ground, barely dodging the ice spike that now pierced itself into the car behind him. He cursed as he took another breath. The sound of gunfire and spells filled the old warehouse. It was him, Leon and Gwaine against their four attackers, all of which were spell casters.
''Arthur, you okay?''
He turned to where he heard Leon's voice and he met his friend's eyes. He gave him a small nod before both turned back to their attackers. Well he wasn't going to let it end like this, he had to get back to his son.
He moved from behind the boxes that he was hiding behind and aimed at the attacker closest to him. The bullet hit the man in the shoulder, sending him to the ground with a piercing scream. A quick glance to the side told him that both Gwaine and Leon had taken down one of their attackers, one more was left. ''Does one of you have a visual on the fourth one?''
There came a no from both of them, but as soon as they heard them say so he could see a movement in the corner of his eye. He quickly turned, staring straight at the gun pointed at him and he quickly aimed and fired.
Arthur didn't see the man going down, instead pain pierced through his arm and on instinct he curled up into himself to protect his wounded arm.
''Arthur?''
He looked up at Leon and quickly waved him away. ''Just a flesh wound, go check on our attackers.'' Leon nodded and Arthur turned back to tend to his arm. It was bleeding, but it was clear that the bullet had only grazed him.
Arthur stood up, tearing off part of his shirt to press against the wound to stop it from bleeding. He glanced from Gwaine to Leon. ''How are they?''
''Two are dead and the other two are out cold, Leon is calling for an ambulance and back-up.'' Gwaine responded as he cuffed the last of the two surviving attackers. ''How's your arm?''
''It needs a couple of stitches. I will live.'' He answered as he shot the other a small smile.
X
He stared at the wood in front of him, feeling the heat rise to his head as he felt his breath hitch in his throat. His eyes fell on the roses in his hands, it had sounded like a great idea back in the flower shop, but… was it to cheesy? Merlin was a guy after all so he wasn't quite sure that the other would appreciate it.
''Daddy are we going in?'' Arthur was shaken out of his thoughts at the words and the small pull of his son on his jeans. ''I really wanna see papa and Kay.''
He quickly forced a smile on his face as he looked at Will. ''Of course. Do you think Merlin will like the flowers?''
Will nodded as he threw his arms in the air. ''Papa will love it! They're so pretty and they smell really nice!'' The boy leaned up to touch one of the rose's petals. ''Can I ring the bell?''
''Of course.'' Carefully not to damage the roses he picked up his son. A small hiss left his lips as he felt a tugging on his stitches. It would be a pain if they had to be redone.
Will leaned forwards to ring the bell and a delightful squeal left the boy's lips at hearing the small sound. It was always so fascinating to see how children could enjoy something so small.
Arthur smiled as he looked from his son to the man now standing in the door opening. ''Hi Kay.''
The blond in front of him smiled in return. ''Hello Arthur.'' He then turned to look at Will, who still wore the biggest grin as he leaned out wanting Kay to hold him. ''And hello to you too Will. Do you look forwards to spending the evening with me?''
''You don't mind babysitting him?'' Arthur asked as he handed Will over to the blond.
A small laugh left Kay's lips. ''Of course not! Besides I'm sure that both Will and I are going to have a lot of fun tonight.'' The walked inside and Kay helped Will out of his jacket and shoes well continuing to speak to Arthur. ''Merlin will be down in a moment. I have set up our guest room for Will, what is his bedtime?''
''Half past seven. Normally he falls asleep fairly quickly, but some warm milk helps most of the time if he doesn't. You can always call me if something is wrong or if he needs to hear my voice.'' He knew that Will was in good hands, he trusted Kay, but that didn't stop him worrying. Arthur kneeled down next to Will. ''Have fun tonight, but you have to listen to Kay! Be a good boy.''
''I'm always a good boy.'' Will answered with a slight pout on his lips before hugging his father. ''Don't forget to give those pretty flowers to papa, they smell really nice.''
''I won't.''
Arthur looked up as he heard the cracking of wood and saw the warlock walk down the stairs. He could feel his heart beating faster, pounding in his chest as he felt a blush creep over his cheeks. The man in front of him was beautiful. Merlin's eyes were the brightest sea blue, sparkling with the purest light. ''You look beautiful.'' He whispered as he stood up, standing eye to eye with Merlin.
Merlin smiled. ''You look really handsome.'' Their eyes locked and for a moment it was completely silent.
Both snapped out of the moment as a loud voice echoed through the hall way. ''Papa!'' Will flung himself in Merlin's arms. ''I missed you!''
''And I missed you too Will.'' Merlin pulled him slightly tighter to his chest before turning to look back at Arthur. It looked so natural, so familiar, as if it had been that way for years.
There was a peaceful silence for a good moment before he remembered the roses in his hands. ''I got these for you.'' Merlin's eyes seemed to lit up before he put Will down on the ground and took the roses.
''They are beautiful, thank you.''
''And they smell really nice!'' Will said as he stood on his toes to have a better look at the flowers.
Merlin patted the little boy on his head. ''You're absolutely right, they have a great smell.'' He turned back to look at Arthur. ''Thank you, I'm sorry but I have nothing for you.''
Arthur laughed. ''You going out with me is more than enough.''
''Well get a move on then!'' Kay interrupted. ''I will put those roses in a vase, enjoy your night out.'' The young blond nearly shoved the two of them out the door after handing Merlin his jacket.
Arthur really enjoyed their night out. First he took Merlin to his favourite restaurant, an Italian pizza place, before they went to see a movie. The movie was cheesy and forgettable, but he still enjoyed his time with Merlin. He felt like a teenage boy having a crush.
There was a cold breeze in the air and he felt a small shiver run down his spine. It was a cloudless sky, the moon shining bright as it lighted their way. They made their way towards their last destination, a small café in the middle of the centre. The centre was busy tonight, a lot of people were roaming the streets, laughing, drinking and playing around.
He turned to look at Merlin, who himself was looking at two teenagers being denied entrance to one of the nightclubs. The other looked happy and it made his own smile widen even further. ''Are you enjoying yourself?''
The warlock turned to look at him and gave him a smile, it was a goofy smile, but it fitted very well. ''Of course! I'm having a great time… I hope you feel the same.''
''I do.'' He answered as they walked onto the market plaza, during the day it was crowned with many families and market stalls, but during the night it was a popular spot for young people to hang out with the many cafes surrounding the plaza.
''Good.'' Again that smile. It was clear that he was about to say something else when he was cut off when they heard someone shout, cursing words echoing over the plaza. They turned to look at each other before heading in the direction of the voice. Two men stood in front of each other, clearly having some sort of disagreement.
''-cking users!'' The brunette screamed as he gave his opponent the finger. ''You people are destroying this city!''
''Just fuck off!'' The tall blond sneered.
''So you aren't denying it!''
''Idiot, not every magic user is part of the fireflies!''
''As if!'' The brunette shouted. ''You're just afraid now that you don't have your little buddies at your side to protect you!''
Arthur bit his lip, he knew that there was a lot of tension in the city towards magic users, it was the cause of most violence related injuries. ''We have to stop them before this escalates.'' He heard Merlin whisper next to him. He gave a slight nod as he stepped through the crowd that was starting to form, Merlin right behind him.
''That's enough!'' He shouted as he stepped between the two men, his attention directed at the brunette as he knew, somehow, that Merlin would handle the magic user.
''Fuck off!'' The brunette shouted and he could clearly smell the alcohol on his breath. ''This has nothing to do with you!''
''It does if you start assaulting a man.''
''Those fuckers murdered my brother! I'm not going to let them go unpunished!''
The brunette made a sudden hand movement towards his belt and Arthur could see the hilt of a weapon tucked away in his trousers. On instinct Arthur reached for his own weapon, but he was unarmed, his own weapon still in his desk at the police station.
The man drew his weapon, pointing it in their direction.. The gun was fired, the bullet piercing the air.
But before the shot was fired he felt an arm move over his shoulder, a hand spread out in front of him and with a small whisper a bright light spread from the fingers. The bullet met the light, for a moment suspended in mid-air, before it fell with a loud cling to the ground.
Arthur moved on instinct and training, leaping forwards as his hand wrapped itself around the gun and with his other hand he pushed against the man's arm, forcing the other to let go of the weapon. Once in control of the gun he kicked the man's legs out from under him and quickly sat on his back, pulling the man's arms underneath him. The man struggled for a moment more underneath him, but he was unable to get out of Arthur's grip.
There were whispers coming from the crowd, a couple of frightened sobs could be heard and he could feel his heart beating in his chest from the adrenaline. Barely more than a moment later he could see two police officers making their way through the now thick crowd, they must have heard the shots being fired and he quickly handed the man over.
He stepped back from the now cuffed man and turned around, but he had barely done so when he felt two arms wrap themselves around his shoulders. ''Are you alright?'' He heard Merlin's voice when the other released him. There was worry in those amazing blue eyes, but also… pride.
''I'm fine.'' He eyed the man now being dragged off by the police before looking back. ''You were the one that saved me?''
''Well I only reflected the bullet, you were the one taking him down.''
But still Arthur knew that he wouldn't have been here anymore if it hadn't been for Merlin. The other had saved his life. ''Thank you for saving my life.''
Merlin smiled. ''Well that's my job after all.''
Arthur frowned, what was that supposed to mean? He never got around to ask as one of the agents now wanted his attention.
