Title: Mute
Author: Arisprite
Summary: It was just an accident.
A/N: And in a completely different vein than the last one, have some angst/whump :)
129. Mute
It was just an accident. Nothing malicious, or evil, or predetermined. But there was a fire, and Merlin was his self-sacrificing self. He survived, but not unscathed.
"Merlin, you must try to drink this."
Merlin turned his head away, staring at a space on the floor. Gwen leaned back, blinking tears away. A noise from behind her cause her head to turn. Arthur stood in the doorway to Merlin's small room, peering in uncomfortably.
Gwen rose, and took one last glance at Merlin, seeing his pale face, and downcast eyes, before joining Arthur in the doorway.
"How is he?" Arthur murmured, and Gwen bit her lip.
"He won't drink. I don't know if it is too painful...or he's too upset."
"And he can't tell us, can he?" Arthur said, almost inaudibly. Gwen heard it, and smacked his arm.
"Arthur!" He nodded, already a shamed flush spreading.
"Sorry..."
Gwen turned back to Merlin, who sat tense and was resolutely ignoring them. She breathed out shakily.
"What does Gaius say?" Arthur then asked, worry showing in his face as he looked at his manservant. Gwen shrugged.
"He says the hot air in the fire burned his throat. Gaius doesn't know if it's permanent, or not."
Merlin in the room suddenly lay back, and turned away from them, pulling his covers up to his ears. Gwen suddenly felt ashamed, for Merlin could still hear them, and was still himself. He just couldn't talk. And they were standing around speaking about him like he was a child.
"I'm sorry, Merlin." Gwen murmured, and left, before her burning eyes could betray her.
Arthur watched her go, still standing awkwardly in the doorway. He too felt the shame that Gwen had, thinking that Merlin was gone somehow, just because he couldn't make his snarky comments.
He didn't know if Merlin would want him to stay, but before he turned to go as well, Merlin flipped back over to lie on his back, and look towards the ceiling. Arthur took that as a cue to step forwards, and seat himself on the chair Gwen had vacated.
Merlin breathed deeply. It was the same sound he always made before he was about to launch into some rant, or make a comment that was probably disrespectful to someone, but never failed to be amusing. Arthur found himself waiting for the words, before his brain told him that likely those words would never come again.
Arthur frowned, and Merlin glanced over meeting his eyes for the first time since the accident. They were still the same, Merlin's eyes. Expressive as hell, and as always when he made eye contact, his meaning was perfectly clear.
I'm still here.
Arthur smiled, huffed, and looked away, embarrassed at being caught caring. Merlin smirked, and rolled his eyes. Fondness filled his face, and Arthur thus had no choice but to reach over and ruffle Merlin's hair.
"Idiot."
Merlin's unspoken prat rang loud and clear.
A/N: Aaannd then his voice started working again! Or perhaps he becomes the greatest mute warlock in all of Albion. I actually might continue in this AU...it'd be interesting to try out some different scenarios. Thanks!
