chapter21

Arthur and Merlin walked into the apartment.

"All packed?" Merlin asked as he looked around the empty place where the couch used to be.

"I don't think this is a good idea." Hunith said as she leaned up holding a box, which Arthur ran over and grabbed from her.

"Hunith, I really don't feel comfortable with you living here. Especially if there's a chance that man will come back." He looked around at the bullet holes in the walls. "This certainly isn't the best place for such beautiful women to be living."

Hunith looked down and smiled, blushing.

Merlin rolled his eyes with the same smile his mother wore.

"Arthur, are you trying to get on my good side?"

"Is it working?' He asked quickly.

"Yes." Hunith replied just as quickly. She turned and walked towards the kitchen and grabbed another box that held dishes.

Arthur turned to Merlin who was looking at the wall near the window. The blond dropped the box on the floor and walked over to the boy. "Are you going to weep?"

Merlin gave a small chuckle. "No." He ran his fingers across the window.

"Then what's on you mind?"

Merlin sighed and only looked down at the street below as movers placed their boxes in trucks. "I just..." He turned to his new husband. "I feel I don't deserve this."

Arthur stared confused.

"I don't deserve the house you bought. I don't deserve the college fund, the car." Merlin gestured exasperated. "I don't deserve you! What have I ever done to get all this?"

Arthur smiled and quickly strolled over. "That's the point Merlin. You don't need to do anything besides what you did do. You were and still are kind. Adorable. Even with your glasses. All I see is a beautiful person."

Merlin shook his head and chuckled again as he looked down at Arthur grabbing his hands.

"You are the most loving person I have met, Merlin. You made me love even more than I thought possible."

Merlin nodded and looked back up at Arthur's royal-blue eyes.

"You do deserve everything, Merlin. And I'm going to be the one who gives it to you."

"I never thought I could feel this way." Merlin whispered.

Arthur smiled lovingly.

"I just wish I could give back to you." Merlin finished.

"Merlin, I told you, you already have, with your love."

Merlin hummed and looked down again, this time at the gold chain with the ring around his neck. He grabbed it in between his fingers. "I guess my father was right."

Arthur frowned. "Right about what?"

Merlin smiled and looked up at Arthur and lifted the ring with the chain. "The first time he saw this, he asked if it was an engagement gift."

Arthur laughed. "I would have been dead long ago."

Merlin joined in laughing. He leaned his head on Arthur's shoulder and hummed again. "I never felt this safe."

Hunith and Balinor walked in from the kitchen just as Arthur wrapped his arms around Merlin and brought his lips ti Merlin's head, leaving his lips linger for a moment before bringing his head into Merlin's neck. "I promise I'll keep you this safe."

Hunith gently nudged Balinor towards the door smiling, so they could give the boys some privacy.

Balinor walked down to the station wagon and frowned when he noticed it was gone and replaced with a limo. "Where is our car?"

"Oh, I traded it in for this."

Balinor looked at Arthur who handed him a small paper. Balinor frowned deeper and opened the paper to see a $3000 check. Balinor's eyes widen and his gaze snapped back to Arthur. "You sold my car?"

Arthur shrugged. "I figured you wouldn't want it anymore since you'll be driving in this." He pointed to the limo.

Morgana smiled wide and opened the door. "Wow. It's bigger than my bedroom!"

"You had no permission to do this." Balinor said low.

"Well, I can get you your car back. I'll just need the check." He reached for the money, which Balinor snatched and dug in his pocket.

"No. No..."

Hunith laughed at her husband then climbed in the limo after Morgana. Balinor went in next, then Arthur gestured for Merlin to enter before the blond entered last.

The drive wasn't exactly long, but when they finally stopped Morgana was the one who gasped loud when she looked out the limo window as she rolled it down. The limo turned into a driveway and right in front of them was a big white house.

Merlin smiled and looked at Arthur who nodded and smiled back. "Welcome home."

Morgana climbed out of the other door and gaped at the tall white house then looked around at the green lawn, which could probably fit a small playing park.

"This house was left to me by my mother before she died." Arthur explained. "I don't know why she left me a house, but I have finally found my use for it." He walked up to Balinor and handed him a bigger piece of paper.

Balinor frowned and looked down at the papers. His brows raised and looked towards Hunith who was reading over his shoulder.

"You are giving us your house?" Hunith asked in awe.

Arthur smiled and nodded. "Everything is already paid for. The good thing about having one rich parent and the other who left me so much money."

"I..." Balinor shook his head. "I am speechless. I don't know what to say."

Merlin smiled and walked over to Arthur and entwined their fingers.

"Thank you Arthur." Balinor said gratefully. "I wish there was something I could do in return."

"You already have." Arthur said then glanced at Merlin who smiled back and leaned on the blond's shoulder.

Balinor sighed with a smile.

"Let's go inside." Arthur said pulling Merlin along with him.

"Wait! Arthur? Where is the truck with our things?" Balinor yelled after the running boys.

No one noticed the dark car across the street and the man sighing with worried eyes as he dialed on his cell with trembling fingers. He gulped loud as the phone rang twice before it was answered.

"I'm sorry to say sir... the boy is alive." When he received no answer, he cleared his dry throat. "But they are at Ealdor right now. Walking into the house Ygraine left Arthur."

"What?" Uther snarled dangerously low.

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