Small-ish chapter, completely focused on the birth.

With his ear was pressed against the door, eyes scrunched close and his hands clenched into fist, was how Arthur stood at the other end of the door, listening to the sounds of pain or grunts that rippled through the wooden doors. He considered in barging back into the room, but Gwaine and Lancelot stood dangerously close to him, ready to intervene at any sudden move their King would make. It also didn't help that some of the other knights have gathered up in the corridor, after hearing how the King's consort went into labour and wanted to be there for their King and friend.

Arthur pushed himself off the door, not being able to stand the sounds of his consort being in pain. Instead he started pacing, the nail of his thumb present in his mouth as he started to bite it like he always does in stressful situation. He didn't know how much time has already passed, but Arthur started to believe that it must have been at least an hour.

"Sire, shouldn't we go-" Leon began walking towards Arthur with Arthur stopping his pace to glare at one of his most trusted knight who retreated back to the wall where he leant against, muttering. "-guess we shouldn't."

Arthur sighed. "I'm sorry, I'm just…" He couldn't finish his sentence, he couldn't find the right words to describe what he exactly felt right now. He just had so many feelings going on within him that he couldn't grasp the most outstanding one.

"I understand." Leon said, offering a small smile.

The door opened, with six pair of eyes immediately fixating on it. Hoping it would be Gaius or Hunith announcing the birth of the newest princes or princesses, but to their unfortunate it was one of Gaius' assistant rushing out of the door and running down the corridor. This alerted Arthur and he immediately sent Elyan to run after him and see what the meaning of it was. In his rush, the assistant had forgotten to completely close the door and noises were coming out.

"I can't, I really can't anymore Gaius. I'm not strong enough."

Merlin. Arthur immediately knew, and for the third time this afternoon he wanted to barge into the room, but as the previous times he wanted to do that, he's been held by the two knights who were keeping an eye onto him. Arthur struggled harder this time, determined to get free from their hold to be with Merlin. He heard his husband breathing fast and he sounded exhausted. It shouldn't be taking this much time for the babies to be born.

"Merlin, you must! - Gaius - "I know you're tired, but you're almost there. Your magic will help you."

A whimper, followed by a sob was the next thing Arthur heard and it gave him the final strength to wrench himself loose from the hold and rush into the room. Firmly closing the door. The occupants in the room didn't even bat an eyelash at him, thinking he was the missing assistant. Arthur looked at Merlin, looking exhausted and sweat running down the sides of his face. Hunith desperately trying to dab it all away and trying to reassure him, but it was in vain.

He wouldn't let himself getting sent away again, no matter what either Gaius or Hunith would say. He would be there for Merlin as long as he wanted him. Quickly approaching the bed, the people in the room saw who it was who had entered and Gaius glared at him after looking up. Clearly disapproving that Arthur is there.

"Arthur, you can't be here." A raised eyebrow and the stern voice made Arthur gulp for a second, but he was the King for crying out loud! He should be able to access every room when he wants whenever he wants.

"No please, let him stay." Merlin's weak voice said, weak hands making grabbing motions in the air, wanting for Arthur to hold him. Arthur ignored the disapproving glare and sat on the edge of the bed, drawing an arm around his husband and grabbing the cloth out of Hunith's hand, and starting to dab around his consort's face.

"I'm here, shhh, it's going to be okay. You've been doing so well." Arthur didn't know whether if any of it was reassuring Merlin, or whether he was even right about what he'd said, but he was doing everything to get Merlin just a bit distracted. The panic he saw in Merlin's eyes when he entered the room was too big for him to handle, he wanted his husband to be sure that he could do this.

Gaius spoke again. "With the next contractions you need to push really hard Merlin. The first is almost here."

Merlin weakly shook his head, his eyelids falling close. "I can't, it's too hard. I can't."

Arthur pushed himself closer to Merlin's body, continuing to dab his face and soothingly caressing his arm up and down Merlin's. "You can Merlin." Arthur began, whispering. "You can. Think of our children, you'll be able to hold them soon. Come on love, you can do it. For yourself, for us."

"Arthur, I'm too tired." Merlin whined, but his face scrunched into pain as the next contraction made its presence. He started to breathe fast through his nose and biting down on his bottom lip.

"Now Merlin." Gaius urged.

"You can do it." Arthur encouraged softly and it was the last push in the back he needed. Merlin took some deep gulps of air and bent forward, pushing with all the strength he possessed to the point he started to shake. Gaius' encouragements flittered through his hazy mind.

"Go on, go on, almost. Yes that's it. I can see the head. Okay now stop and take a deep breath and then push hard one more time." Merlin stopped, took a few deep breaths and pushed hard again. A few tears slipped past his cheek and mingled with the sweat that had already gathered, but he didn't stop and felt the first baby being pulled out him.

"Aarrhh!" Merlin fell back against Arthur's back, taking deep breaths.

"Merlin…" Arthur breathed, watching in awe at his child. It was wrapped in a warm blanket so fast that he couldn't see whether the baby was a boy or a girl, but he didn't care about it as a loud cry bounced through the room. He couldn't believe it, he was now an actual father. "Merlin, you did it. He kissed his consort on his temple, a weak smile started to appear on Merlin's lips.

"A healthy boy." Gaius announced, having given the baby a quick examination and now gave the child to one of his assistants to get him cleaned up. Hunith followed suit to see her first grandson.

"A boy, Merlin. A boy!" Arthur exclaimed loudly, exited. Tightening his hold once more, letting Merlin's head rest against his chest.

"Alexander." Merlin whispered against Arthur's torso, looking up with a glint sparkling in the corner of his eyes. Arthur nodded contently but then saw Merlin's face contort in pain again. Loosening his grip on his consort, Arthur let Merlin's back rest against his chest and murmured little encouragements in Merlin's ear, but got mingled up with Gaius' next instructions.

"Alright Merlin, your second child should be coming within one, maybe two pushes. I know you're tired, but bear with me for just a few moments." Merlin nodded slowly, still catching his breath from the first birth. He turned his head up to look at Arthur who smiled down onto him.

"I love you." Arthur whispered. "It's almost over now love."

Merlin bent over again, hands clenched into tight fists as he pushed with all the remaining strength he had in the fibres of his body, feeling his child wanting to make its welcome to the world. He had to put through, he was almost there. Air started to get knocked from his lungs, but he wouldn't stop. His second child was almost out now, he could feel it.

"Merlin! Stop, breathe! It's over." Gaius' voice boomed and Merlin felt back against Arthur like a rag doll. Almost having no energy to keep his eyes open. He heard two cries mingling together and he smiled.

"Another healthy boy." Gaius revealed for the second time this afternoon. And Arthur barked a laugh, kissing Merlin excessively and gently laid Merlin down on his back and waiting until Gaius was done cleaning his husband up. Arthur got down on his haunches, running a hand through the sweat clad hair.

"Oh Merlin, another boy."

Merlin managed to crack his eyes open just a bit. His mouth was parched but he still managed to breath out the name of his second son. "Kaelan." Arthur helped to hold Merlin's head up and manoeuvred a goblet with water to Merlin's lips - as Gaius had instructed him too - with Merlin drinking greedily from it. As Arthur gently put Merlin's head down, his eyes immediately closed and his breathing still too harsh and fast.

Gaius gave him a nod that he was finished and Arthur brought the blanket up until Merlin shoulders. Lovingly caressing Merlin's cheek. Gaius came to his side and placed a firm hand on Arthur's arm, making Arthur turn to him with concern.

"Sire, you must understand that this was a very difficult birth. It drove Merlin to exhaustion."

"Yes, I cannot imagine how much exertion Merlin had to do, but now our children are born he can rest. After he has rested, he will be as good as new… right?" Arthur looked at the physician's face. He wasn't so sure anymore after studying Gaius' expression. "Right!"

AN. Men can get pregnant in this story, so why can't they do a 'natural' birth ;)

Wanted to try writing that, instead of the usually used c-section. But boy it was a bitch to write haha!