Rating: G
Notes: AU. Based on those modern day reincarnation fics, but especially Sweet Dreams Fly by themegaloo. Google it if you're curious
Disclaimer: I own nothing in connection with BBC's Merlin, nor do I make any money writing this fanfiction.
--
Just Passing By
After the large castle of Camelot, a one bedroom flat above a corner shop in London was definitely a downgrade. But Merlin could appreciate that times had, (drastically), changed. And he had Arthur back, (after waiting to find him for many hundreds of years), which made it much more bearable.
But he would still sit by the window, gazing down at the passing crowd, watching them closely. Hoping he might spot him passing by.
He only looked away when he pricked himself for the umpteenth time upon the needle he was using to fix Arthur's jacket. It was needed for a job interview the next day.
Arthur rolled his eyes. "Still such a girl, Merlin."
Merlin frowned and let the needle take over by itself. He never had got around to getting Gwen to teach him and practice making perfect apparently didn't apply when it came to his sewing.
"Do you think he's out there as well?" Merlin asked as he went back to gazing out of the window.
"Who?"
Merlin gave him a look. They both knew who.
"If he is," Arthur went on. "He'll be hard to find. Nobody would call themselves Lancelot these days. It's even worse than Merlin. Just."
"Yeah." Merlin laughed. "And he was always running off."
"Probably your influence."
"On his gallant deeds. If Lancelot is still here, he's probably out in some third world country or something. Helping out."
As Merlin went on, there was a sadness which crept into and grew in his voice. Arthur stepped up to him, walking around the needle, thread and jacket as it finished and dropped onto a chair.
"You know how much I'd love for him to still be here, Merlin," he said. "If I could, I'd have things stay how they were when everything was," he breathed hard, "fine."
"So would I."
Arthur rested his hands on Merlin's shoulders, feeling him lean into his arms. He flexed his fingers, rubbing Merlin through his shirt and found himself watching the people through the window as well.
Arthur had been looking for Lancelot for a long time too. On the street. Through the windows he passed. As he queued to pay for his food bill or bus ticket. Amongst the crowds packing themselves into the tube stations.
Because maybe. Just maybe.
END
