Gwaine and Lancelot had arrived about an hour after Arthur ran out the hospital room, and they found a distressed Merlin who wasn't able to make coherent sentences through all the crying he did. The pair panicked and thought it was the baby and wanted to get a doctor, but once Merlin breathed deeply through his nose a few times, finally able to catch his breath, he stopped them from doing so and told them what happened.

Eight hours later, Merlin's mum arrived after cutting her and Ygraine's business trip a week short when she heard what had happened to her son. It was the first time in almost four months that she'd seen him apart from the few pictures Merlin had sent her.

It was now thirty-six hours after Arthur ran off and Merlin was released from the hospital. His mum had packed up a small bag of his dirty clothes and some toiletries, while Merlin was at the reception desk to sign his release papers. Lance had been there the last thirty-six hours too to help Merlin or Hunith where needed. Gwaine had been angry when he heard what Arthur had done to his friend, and had gone to look for him in Arthur's apartment, but Arthur wasn't there. And so he had been searching the city for any sign of the blonde. Lance had called Percy who managed to track down his fiancé and calmed him down.

Merlin sighed deeply after he handed the clipboard back to the nurse. He had tried to call Arthur a couple of times these past thirty-six hours, but his calls went straight to voicemail. He just wanted to explain why he'd done what he'd done, but if Arthur refused to talk to him he couldn't do that.

Hunith touched her son's arm and he looked at her with a watery smile. "You ready to go, hunnie?"

Merlin nodded and followed his mother to the exit and saw Lancelot pulling up with his car.

"Where do you want to go to?" Lancelot asked, not entirely sure if Merlin wanted to go to his and Arthur's shared apartment.

"Just my house. Maybe he's there."

Lancelot nodded before starting the car. The drive took about twenty minutes and Merlin thanked Lancelot for the past day, but that he would manage right now with his mum being there as well. Lancelot gave a short nod and added that he could always call if needed.

Merlin and his mother rode the lift in silence, the only sound that was heard was the keychain Merlin pulled out of his pocket when they arrived at the right floor. Merlin felt pessimistic. He was almost certain that Arthur wouldn't be at their apartment. Hell, he wouldn't be surprised if he would find his suitcases just outside the door.

Luckily that wasn't the case, but Merlin still felt miserable once he turned his key and let him and his mother in. The apartment was dark and Merlin's heart dropped.

"I'll put these in the washer." Hunith said with a jerk of her head to the bag she was still holding. "Why don't you make us a cuppa."

"Alright." Merlin sighed and walked to the kitchen. He turned the lights on and his breath caught in the back of his throat.

"Arthur." Merlin breathed out. Arthur was sitting at the island, still wearing the same clothes he wore when he ran out of the hospital room. Only he looked a lot more dishevelled. His tie hung loosely and crooked around his neck, his usually crisp white shirt was wrinkled and his hair looked like it had been pulled at and run through a couple of times. But it was the look in Merlin's eyes that made him wanting to pull Arthur into a tight hug. They looked so sombre, and so betrayed. But Merlin knew he couldn't just walk up to Arthur and give him a hug and expect that everything would be back to normal.

God, if only it would've been so simple.

"You're here." Merlin said, taking a step closer to the island, but staying at the opposite side of it.

"I am." Arthur answered, swallowing deeply.

Merlin ran a finger over the smooth surface of the island. "I've tried to call you."

"I know."

"You didn't pick up."

"I didn't."

Merlin gave a miserable sigh. He hated the way Arthur was reacting, but he'd probably deserved it. "I can explain."

Arthur snapped his eyes up to him. "Can you? Because I honest to god don't know what could be a reasonable explanation for what incredibly stupid thing you've done."

"I wasn't – I couldn't." Merlin growled with frustration. He couldn't grasp the right words. His phone beeped but Merlin ignored it.

"You couldn't… what? Couldn't help yourself wanting to be the hero? Couldn't call the force, couldn't call me, for back-up? COULDN'T WAIT TO GET YOURSELF KILLED!" Arthur yelled the last bit, standing up from the stool and rounded the island until he stood just inches away from Merlin.

Merlin saw the tears pooling into Arthur's eyes. Could see how hard Arthur was fighting them from coming out. "I didn't think." Merlin whispered.

"That's right, you weren't!" Arthur ran a hand over his face. His fingers lingering longer onto his eyes, trying to stop the tears, but it was a lost cause really.

"A-Arthur, I'm sorry." Merlin cried. "I wish I could turn back time and tell you, but I can't. Please, tell me how I can make up to you. Please."

Arthur shook his head and turned around. "I don't know." Arthur whispered, his eyes went to the fridge where the sonogram picture still hung.

"I-I don't want you to be angry at me. Please, talk to me." Merlin whispered, and saw Arthur slowly turn around who just stared at him for what seemed a very long time. Then Arthur heaved a deep sigh.

"I'm not angry, Merlin." He cocked his head. "Well, not so much anymore. Thing is that I was and am mostly scared. Scared that I was going to lose you, that I was going to lose our baby. Scared that I was going to lose you both." Arthur walked to the counter, supporting his body on his arms. His head hung low between his shoulders.

Merlin slowly came forward and pressed his hand against Arthur's lower back. Watery eyes turned to him and Merlin swallowed. "I really am sorry. It wasn't supposed to go like this."

"Does it ever." Arthur mumbled.

"But we're fine, Arthur." Merlin said and saw and felt the tension in Arthur's back lessen a bit. "The doctor has checked me and said all traced of the drugs are out of my system, and the baby's heartbeat is strong and healthy."

Arthur breathed out a shuddering breath.

Merlin stepped even closer, whispering. "We're fine."

Arthur grabbed Merlin in a tight hug, not giving a damn thing anymore what Merlin had done, not giving a damn that he was bawling his eyes out. He had Merlin in his arms again and everything was good, everything would be fine.

Merlin closed his arms around Arthur's body, holding him close. They weren't there yet, but they were at least one step closer of mending what has been damaged.