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Part 9

After a few days in Ealdor, Arthur had to get back to work. He helped Hunith pack her bags and drove them back to Camelot. He had the radio on softly, but other than that the car ride was silent. They pulled up their home and Arthur brought their bags in. Merlin put the kettle on and got them all some tea.

Arthur made some calls while Hunith got settled. Gwen and Morgana would come over tomorrow and help Merlin out.
While Arthur was at work, Merlin couldn't help but admire the man. He had made so many calls and got their friends to drop by so that Merlin and Hunith were never alone.

They helped with the funeral arrangements, Morgana and Gwen making most of the arrangements. They let Merlin cried when he got frustrated and upset, they helped Hunith and comforted her. Hunith fell in love with all their friends and they fell in love with her.
They brought over meals so that they didn't have to deal with that and helped make phone calls that made them too upset to make.
Gwaine brought booze, earning laughter from Hunith and a small smile from Merlin.

Every night, Arthur tried to make it home early and Merlin would immediately be in his arms. Arthur would hold him tightly before letting him go and heating up dinner that someone had left for them. Morgana was around a lot and Arthur was grateful. She had let Uther know and even he had stopped by. He introduced himself to Hunith and apologized for the circumstances in which they had to meet. He offered his help but Hunith had politely declined, everything already organised by his son and daughter.

A week later, they were back down in Ealdor for the funeral. Merlin held Arthur's hand during the ceremony, tears rolling down his cheeks. Hunith sat on his other side, holding his hand tightly. They watched the coffin go into the ground before everyone was hugging and leaving for the wake. The three of them sat in the cemetery for a little while longer before heading to the wake themselves. Merlin stayed by Arthur's side, Arthur's arm around his waist, keeping him up. He brought Merlin and Hunith food and something to drink.

They made small talk and told stories of their childhood. After the wake, Arthur took them back to Hunith's home.
They went to bed early and Arthur and Merlin laid together, Merlin resting on Arthur's chest.
"Thank you so much for everything Arthur," Merlin said, kissing Arthur's chest. "You've done so much for me and my mum."

"Your family Merlin and I love you," Arthur said. "I know that you would do the same for me and it was nothing really."
"You've missed so much work and have done so much to help organize all this," Merlin said, looking up to Arthur.
"It's not problem Merlin," Arthur said, carding his fingers through the black hair. "I'll do anything for you and I'm so sorry that you lost your best friend."

Merlin sighed and snuggled into Arthur, pressing himself closer to Arthur.
"Are you going to be OK?" Arthur asked.
"Eventually," Merlin said. His eyes flashed gold and a blue orb swirled into view, hovering above the room and casted the room in a blue hue.
Arthur smiled and rubbed Merlin's back.

Hunith assured Arthur and Merlin that she would be OK in Ealdor. She had a lot of work to keep her busy and the whole town was looking out for her, she wouldn't be alone. Gaius also promised to stop by and see her. Not be persuaded, Arthur and Merlin headed back to Camelot. While Arthur went back to work, Merlin sat in the office and painted. He finished the painting of the sketch and started painting a picture of two little boys, playing in a barn on some haystacks.

Lance stopped by and brought Merlin some lunch.
"How are you holding up?" Lance asked and Merlin smiled.
"Alright. Arthur had been...amazing," Merlin smiled. "I'm so lucky to have him."
"He's a top bloke," Lance agreed.
"I want to thank you for all your help too," Merlin said.
"Your our friend Merlin," Lance smiled. "You would have done the same for us."

Merlin smiled and Lance looked around, taking in the newly painted piece and the one Merlin was working on now.
"You and Will when you were kids?" Lance guessed.
"Yeah. Just for fun. I won't sell it," Merlin said. "Five more pieces and I'll have enough for a show."
"That's great Merlin," Lance beamed. "Say the word if you need any help."

"I will," Merlin said. Lance didn't stay for long and Merlin got back to his painting.
When Arthur came home, Merlin was still in the office, a quarter through his painting. Arthur sat on the couch and was just content to watch him.

"That get's creepy after a while," Merlin said, without taking his eyes of the painting but his lips curled into a smile.
"Whatever," Arthur huffed. "We are going out tonight."
"Arthur, I don't feel like going out," Merlin said, dropping his paint brush.
"Not out drinking," Arthur assured him. "To a movie. You need to get out of this house. We can even make out in the back row."

"We're not teenagers," Merlin smirked but his eyes were a light with mischief.
"Come on, clean up and get ready," Arthur said.
Half an hour later, Merlin was buying a huge tub of popcorn and chocolate, his favourite.
The went in to the cinema room and chose seat up the back. The movie was on its last days so there was only a couple of people in there.

Merlin opened the chocolate and poured it into the popcorn tub and stirred it around.
"You and your habits," Arthur drawled but scooped some into mouth anyway.
"You can't deny that it's delicious," Merlin grinned and popped some into his mouth also.
Arthur leaned forward and captured Merlin's lips and slid his tongue into Merlin mouth. Merlin gasped and clutched the popcorn tub tightly.

Arthur smirked and pulled back, licking his lips.
"Hmm delicious," Arthur smirked and Merlin stared at him, eyes wide.
The light dimmed until they were completely off and Arthur turned to the screen, leaving Merlin just staring at him.
"Tease," Merlin whispered and looked to the screen. Arthur wrapped around Merlin's shoulder and pulled him close, nibbling on his ear.

"A preview of sorts," Arthur whispered and was delighted that Merlin shivered.
"Prat," Merlin whispered and stuffed his mouth with more popcorn and chocolate.
Between the two of them, it didn't take them long before all the popcorn was corn and the tub had been placed on the seat next to Arthur.
"Are you really watching this?" Arthur whispered.
"With you rubbing your hand up and down my leg? No," Merlin whispered back.

Arthur chuckled in his ear and nibbled on it again. Merlin sighed and turned his head, capturing Arthur's mouth with his and swiping his tongue along his bottom lip.
Arthur hummed quietly and cupped Merlin cheek, angling himself in his chair. Merlin shifted and face Arthur, knees knocking Arthur's.

Merlin whimpered as Arthur's tongue slid past his lips and swept around the hot cavern of his mouth. Arthur pulled back slightly and Merlin whimpered again.
"Shhh Merlin," Arthur breathed, hot breath fanning across Merlin's lips. "we don't want to get kicked out."
Merlin pushed his lips back against Arthur's and resumed kissing him.

They were happy to kiss, sneak some touches. They heard the movie end and the lights start to light up again. They pulled away, ducking their heads so that they could catch their breathes.
They grinned at each other and Arthur took Merlin hand and they headed out.
It was dark when they got outside and Arthur wrapped an arm around Merlin to keep him warm.
"You were right," Merlin said as they walked. "I needed to get out,"
"I'm always right Merlin," Arthur smirked and Merlin elbowed Arthur in the ribs.

Arthur winced.
"So bony," Arthur grunted and Merlin sniggered.
"Get in the car Merlin," Arthur drawled and Merlin obediently slipped in.
Arthur drove them home and parked the car. He looked over to Merlin and smiled softly when he found him fast asleep.

It had been a stressful week and Arthur knew that Merlin hadn't been sleeping well, not with the funeral weighing on his mind. Arthur slipped out and quietly shut his door. He went to Merlin's side, unbuckled him and scooped him up into his arms. Merlin barely stirred and Arthur kicked the door shut. He carried Merlin to the door and frowned. How was he meant to open it.
"I got it," Merlin yawned and the door clicked open, Merlin not even opening his eyes.

Arthur chuckled and slipped in, shutting the door behind him. Merlin locked it as Arthur carried him to the bed room. He laid Merlin on the bed and took of his shoes and pants. Merlin crawled blindly under the covers and collapsed on his pillow. Arthur himself got ready for bed and slipped under the covers beside Merlin.
"Love you," Merlin mumbled.
"Love you too," Arthur replied and closed his eyes, falling asleep quickly.

As the weeks went by, Merlin seemed to be getting better. He was back to smiling again and joking with their friends.
He was still painting daily, picking up a few odd jobs. His painting of himself and Will as kids was finished and Merlin kept it at their home, not sure where he wanted to put it.

The engagement had slipped everybody's mind, but now that Merlin was feeling well again and up to such talk, plans were started to be made.
Morgana and Gwen sat down with Merlin and Arthur and started taking notes and making plans about the ceremony.

Arthur debated them while Merlin just watched with an amused smile. Morgana and Arthur got into some rather heated debated and Gwen and Merlin watched, chewing on some chips that Merlin dug out of the cupboard for this event. It was like watching to people in a boxing ring, using words instead of fists.
Both Merlin and Arthur wanted the ceremony simple but the reception to be a party where everyone could have fun and Gwaine could get waisted and hit on the waiters.

Gwen had assured Merlin while Morgana and Arthur were fighting that she would try and rein Morgana in but she made no promises.
"Just use those pregnancy hormones," Merlin suggested. "She'll listen then."
"I'm not using my baby as a weapon for your wedding," Gwen huffed and Merlin grinned.
"They're the hormones I'm talking about."
Gwen sniggered and took another chip, turning back to watch the two Pendragon's fight.

Also thrown into the discussion was the Pendragon name; would Merlin take it.
"You want me to be Merlin Pendragon?" Merlin asked, eyes wide.
"It does have a nice ring to it," Arthur smirked filthily.
Merlin rolled his eyes.
"No. I'm staying Merlin Emry's. I like my name," Merlin said.

"We could hyphenate it," Arthur suggested. Merlin just looked at him.
"Think about it," Morgana said and moved on, starting to talk about flowers.
Eventually Arthur got tired of talking about the wedding and kicked Morgana and Gwen out.
"Wait!" Morgana cried as Arthur shoved her towards the door. "We need to work out a date!"

"Sometime in February," Merlin called out. "So it's warm but not to warm!"
"Thanks Merlin!" Morgana cried and Arthur shut the door with a bang.
He came back and found Merlin laying on the couch, smirking.
"You were having too much fun with that," Arthur growled, stalking towards Merlin.
"It was thoroughly entertaining," Merlin grinned.

Arthur growled and crawled on top of Merlin and pinned him to the couch.
"Mean," Arthur growled and Merlin smirked.
"No," Merlin said sarcastically.
Arthur growled and ran his hand up under Merlin's shirt and crushed his lips to his. Merlin moaned loudly. So worth watching Arthur get worked up, it always led to great, rough sex.

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