Hi hi,

I apologize for any tears shed.

Enjoy,

Bree Z Claire

The four flatmates sat morbidly around their living room in a circle. Dinner was long gone, and so were the laughs and jokes around yet another glass coffee table. Four cups of coffee lay untouched.

One man sat slumped on the L-couch against the wall, rubbing his tired face and trying to smooth down his hair for the fifteenth time with fidgeting fingers. Another man sat to his right, staring at his hands, frozen to his seat. There was a skinnier, younger man kneeling on the floor in front of the large TV to the fidgeting man's left. He rolled around a stray meatball from his plate of pasta but couldn't bring himself to finish it. He was pouting.

Only the fourth man – the model—, who sat on the armchair, completing the group's little circle, looked moderately at ease. But even that was pushing it. The man had his legs draped over one side of the chair as he rested his head on the other, looking up at the ceiling deep in thought. He finally decided to sit upright, unable to take the silence for much longer.

"So," he laced his fingers together and looked across the table to the fidgeting man. "You're getting married in a couple weeks."

"Indeed," nodded the man numbly.

"And there's still," the kneeling man gulped. He was too tired to even lift his head off the table as he spoke, not caring how pathetic he must have looked with his head bobbing up and down with every word, "so many things to do."

"I know," answered the groom-to-be.

To the right of the groom, a lawyer stirred and whispered, "And then you're moving out."

A heavy air set around them, tugging and squeezing the air from their lungs as the four men – four friends – began settling into the realization. Things changed and people moved on, and even though they didn't want to admit it, they knew people changed too. The days of Arthur, Lance, Gwaine, and Merlin were coming to an end. They had no regrets, though, of course they didn't. They all were happy for their friend and knew Lance and Gwen belonged together.

But even so, it felt too soon, like they still had adventures to go on; quests to conquer. They were a team, and soon they'd be one man short. Soon.

Too soon.

"It's like the end of an era!" Merlin covered his eyes and wailed in a sudden flood of emotion.

Gwaine reached over and patted the boy on the shoulder, feeling an unusual prickle behind his eyes that he quickly blinked away. Arthur looked away as well, as did Lance. They too felt the warm flush on their cheeks down to their necks and tried their best to hide it from one another. The hot swirl of emotion was contagious and once it started, they knew it wouldn't stop. Lance sucked in a breath and leaned back to stare at the ceiling.

Arthur sniffed and stood up, muttering about dust in his eyes as he paced around to where Cabal was busy lapping up water from his bowl in the kitchen. Arthur leaned down and tousled the scruff of the dog's neck, smiling when the pup rubbed against his shoulder and nuzzled against his neck. He sniffed again, only this time – thankfully – it was muffled in the fur of the large animal.

Arthur and Lance. Lance and Arthur. The two of them were college roommates that grew inseparable as the years flew by. Drunken nights, hangovers, too-early mornings, cramming before exams, coffee, coffee, and more coffee…they'd gone through the whole nine yards together and then some. Lance had taught Arthur the true meaning of nobility and what it took to live a life of no regrets; to look in the mirror and truly be proud of who you saw. And in return, Arthur gave him a taste of courage – and not just the liquid kind either.

Of course, it was Gwaine who taught them both a little something about fun. When Arthur and Lance first moved into the four-bedroom apartment and began looking for flatmates, Gwaine had come rampaging into their lives full of energy and a carefree look on life. He'd pulled the lawyer and doctor out of their workaholic states and showed them that it was okay to break the rules once in a while. That having a little fun here and there wouldn't kill them.

And then there was Merlin. Happy-go-lucky, sunshine smiling, contagiously bubbly, overly exuberant, too-helpful-for-his-own-good Merlin Emrys. Without him, Lance never would've met Guinevere in the first place.

Lance bowed his head for a moment before reaching out for Merlin's other shoulder. "I will miss you too, my friend."

"You'll visit?"

"You know I will."

"Promise!" Merlin bottom lip jutted out as he yelped.

"I promise."

"He's not moving far, mate," Gwaine consoled. His voice thickened a bit as he squeezed his friend's shoulder a little tighter. "Aren't I right, Lance?"

Lance could only smile in response. Who were they trying to kid? For years now Lance had been looking to open his own practice and not too long after his conference, he'd been offered just that. But in Indianapolis. Two whole states over. It was both devastating and exciting when the news came and even Merlin, who was always happy about everything, seemed to beam just a tad dimmer than he usually would at such news.

Gwen and Lance had been together when they received the news. They talked and accepted it. Was it an easy decision? No. Hell no. Morgana had already ranted and raved at her friend for leaving, crying out until the two girls embraced in a mess of tangled limbs and sobbing tears. But peace had been made. And a new chapter was about to begin for the loving bride and groom.

They knew it was right. They knew it didn't make their goodbyes any easier.

Arthur returned to the circle, eyes a little redder, but kept his eyes trained out the window as he muttered, "Stop your sniveling Merlin you look like an idiot."

Lance and Gwaine both shot half-hearted glares at the lawyer but knew his words weren't heated. Arthur never really was the heart-on-your-sleeve type of guy; he just got moody when upset. Merlin sat up anyways, drying his eyes on the sleeve of his baggy hoodie and shook away the hands on his shoulders, taking a few breaths to calm himself before looking up at the three men. If he thought about it, a year really wasn't that long at all.

In just a year he'd gone from potentially homeless to living in an elaborate and surprisingly cozy mansion of an apartment. He found friends in the most unexpected places and in the most unexpected people. He'd been punched, slapped, kicked, groped, and even pelted with fruit – bad day at the market…long story – but he'd had the time of his life with the three of them. His flatmates, the four people he shared a home with, had changed his life in the most bizarre and wonderful way.

And just like that, it was all going to fade away.

Merlin looked around at the four faces he'd never forget. "Could we at least have a group hug?"

They all hugged.

They all stood there with arms wrapped around each others shoulders, foreheads pressed against the other, and eyes shut tight in case a pesky tear decided to sneak its way to the surface. In their silence the weeks and months and years passed behind their eyes. Silent prayers were whispered and hopes burned bright. A promise to keep in touch synced with each beating heart.

"We really have to stop doing this every night," Arthur said with a shaky breath and soon the room was filled with soft chuckles of four friends.

Brothers.