A/N: I figured I waited too long with this story and I am in a roll with these chapters because the ideas are popping up in my head.
chapter20
The silence was too much and he couldn't take it anymore. Having Balinor and Hunith just stare at them as if they came from another planet.
"Hunith... Balinor..." Arthur said low as he held Merlin's hand with both of his own.
"Arthur." Hunith greeted then used her hand to gestured to the kitchen chair. "Have a seat." She said low.
Arthur nodded and pulled Merlin towards the chairs, he made sure that Merlin sat before he sat down next to him. Arthur made sure to keep eyeing Balinor in case the man decided to strike him.
Hunith exhaled and leaned against the fridge.
"Are any of you going to say anything?" Merlin spoke so low it was almost whispered.
"I'm going to take a shower before dinner." Morgana said from where she stood at the kitchen threshold before she turned and walked towards the bathroom.
Merlin gulped nervously then forced a smile. "Well... Arthur and I decided we should get a house. we want up guys to come live with us."
Balinor folded his arms across his chest and tilted his head. "How do you expect to pay for a house? Neither of you have finished high school yet." He pointed out.
Merlin's smile slowly faded.
"I have my own account." Arthur explained. "Merlin and I are going to finish school and since we only have a year left... well, I have also offered Merlin a college savings account. Which he happily excepted."
Merlin nodded with another smile. "Nothings going to get between me and my career."
Balinor chuckled and walked towards the table then leaned his hands against the wood. "What if you two break up in a year?"
"I have no intention of breaking up with Mer-"
"I wasn't talking to you." Balinor hissed through gritted teeth at Arthur.
The blond quickly shut his mouth and nodded gently.
Balinor turned back to his son and hummed in question. "How about this, Merlin. You can get a divorce, and we'll pay for your college like your mother and I planned."
Merlin shook his head. "I'm not getting a divorce."
"Ok. how about this? II take Pendragon into my station wagon and bury his body somewhere? Then you can move back home."
"I love Arthur!" Merlin cried.
But Balinor was not giving up. "You are 16 and too young to understand love!" He yelled back as he leaned over Merlin.
Merlin gulped nervously and his eyes teared up. "I do know about love. You obviously can't see what I feel for Arthur."
Balinor inhaled deep and was about to speak again but was caught off by Hunith.
"Balinor sit down, sweetheart, before you give me a heart attack."
The growled low in his throat and sat on the offered seat as Hunith lay a plate of bread on the table. She eyed Arthur before giving a forced smile. "Would you like butter," She cleared her throat. "With your bread?"
Arthur stood shocked for a moment before forcing a small smile of his own. "Yes, thank you." Hunith dug inside her apron and pulled out a few small packets of butter they always collected after going to a restaurant.
"Balinor sweet heart. Come." She turned, not waiting for a response. Balinor eyed Arthur with a glare before following his wife to their bedroom. Hunith slammed the door after he husband.
"Balinor, you must stop this." She said angrily.
"Stop what?" He gestured towards the door with his hand and whisper-screamed. "Do you realize what our son has done? He's just ruined his life! Any possible chance he had of a good education is gone!"
Hunith shook her head in sadness. "Sweet heart," She grabbed the man's arms and stared into his eyes. "I know what he's done. He's married because he loves him. Arthur loves Merlin too. Do you really think Arthur would force Merlin into something he doesn't want?"
Balinor sighed low and gently shook his head. "I want Merlin home."
Hunith smiled, her own eyes tearing now. "So do I. But you heard them, they are in love, Balinor. Remember when our parents tried to keep us apart?"
The man suddenly chuckled and looked down.
"If we had the chance, wouldn't you make the same choice they did?" Hunith said low. She raised her brows once. "I know I would have."
"Hunith-"
"Balinor," The woman whispered back. "If you scare Arthur away you scare Merlin too."
Balinor sighed and leaned back against their dresser drawer. Hunith let go of Balinor's arms and smiled. "We want to keep getting visits from time to time."
Balinor nodded. "I just... why couldn't it have been me?"
Hunith frowned. "You wanted to marry Arthur?"
"No! No, Hunith..."
The woman laughed.
"I just wish it was me to give Merlin everything he deserves." Balinor sighed again.
"Oh." Hunith breathed. "Sweet heart, is that what is bothering you? You can't get Merlin everything he wants?"
"I don't know." Balinor leaned away from the drawer and walked towards the bed and flopped backwards on it. "I should be able to provide for Merlin, I am his father. What if he truly married Arthur because he could get him those things?"
Hunith chuckled. "Balinor, Merlin loves you no matter what. And I also have this idea that he doesn't care about what Arthur can get him. It's only been a few weeks and they may be only teenagers, but they are in love, Balinor. And we can't change that."
The man smiled and sat up on the bed. "I just wish I could trust Arthur. I already know we can't trust his father."
"Balinor," Hunith scolded breathless. "We have guests whom we don't want to leave just yet." She smiled. "Let's go greet our son-in-law properly."
The man nodded and stood up then grabbed his wife's hand and kissed her cheek. "How's your cold, love?"
"It's getting better."
They walked out of the bedroom and walked into the kitchen to see smoke and Merlin and Arthur using their hands to blow the smoke out.
"What happened?" Hunith walked over to the stove where the spaghetti dried and was blackened and stuck to the pot. "Oh, damn."
Merlin's head snapped towards his mom. "Mother, you just swore."
"Oh hush you. You kids say lots worst these days."
"I don't."
"It looks like we'll have to go out for dinner." Arthur coughed.
"That's fine Arthur, I'll just start another pot."
"No. No,Hunith. Let's take Arthur on his offer." Balinor wrapped his arm around Merlin's shoulders. "It is a special occasion after all." He kissed Merlin's head making the boy shut his eyes and smile.
Arthur eyed Balinor before a smile appeared on his lips.
"Now, Arthur." Balinor pulled away from Merlin and walked towards the blond. He wrapped his arm around Arthur's shoulder. "Tell me, what did you do during your honey moon?" The man squeezed when his hand felt his son-in-law's neck.
Arthur's eyes widened and he looked towards Merlin, who gave an apologetic look. "Father?"
"Hm? Tell me boy?" Balinor whispered in the blond's ear.
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