A/N: I think this story may be coming to a close soon. I'm not sure exactly how it's going to end, but I feel like it is close. It's been a privilege to write for such awesome readers as you all. Hope you enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 25 – Of Relationships and Rebels

Weeks. Merlin's sight was a testy thing. He returned for regular visits to my uncle to make sure his eyes were adjusting well to the new corneas. Uncle Tristan gave me updates almost as fast as Merlin did. My mobile was almost never silent anymore, save for during shooting. The vultures followed me everywhere on set and most places off set. It was probably thanks to security that I hadn't been mobbed yet. Or shot for that matter. One reporter had brought a gun to get attention and shot out a light right above me. Scared me shitless and got him an overnight in jail.

I had to be careful where I left my things. More than once, I'd found someone looking through my jacket pockets when I walked away from it. I kept my mobile in my pocket or gave it to Morgana for safe keeping. Since she was off duty from acting right now, it was the perfect set up. She made sure no one, not even herself, saw my txt messages. She answered the mobile for me twice while I was on set, telling me later that my mother wanted me to pick up Mordred when I was finished and that Uncle Tristan had called, but since it sounded important, she'd told him to call back and leave a voice mail.

It wasn't much important, but Morgana didn't know any better. It was just a routine call to tell me Merlin had been in again and that everything looked alright, cell counts and whatnot. Merlin had been given his new dosage requirements for his medication, and everything seemed to be on the mend. It was good news, which I let Morgana know since she looked so nervous about it that she might pass out.

The highlight of my days, however, were the txts. There was a new one every hour or so, little tidbits from Merlin on how his day was going and things that changed because of his vision.

'Good morning. I think ur already on set, so txt me when u get the chance.'

'We have blue irises n the front yard. Did u no that?'

'Tripped over a chair just now.'

'Gaius thinks he needs to burn my eyes again. I just ran into a wall.'

'Hope u had a good lunch.'

'Did u no? I haven't gotten bruises like this n yrs.'

'Uncle Gaius is definitely looking at fire extinguishers online.'

'I've decided watching tv is the best course of action. Can't hurt myself if I don't move.'

It was cute, but I learned a new lesson that day. I learned to excuse myself to the bathroom if I needed to check my messages. The day after those messages, I saw my face on another magazine with a big question on top about who was sending me the messages. Next thing you know, they'd be hacking into my mobile records to find out. Well, better they think I have a bladder issue than they start hounding Merlin. At this rate, I'd have him start txting Morgana instead.

'Saw a rerun of one of ur early movies is on tv. Am watching it now.'

'Which one?' I asked, slipping into the front seat of my car.

'The one where ur an orphan and Julie Andrews is going to adopt u.'

'I order you to smash your tv to bits.'

'I am disinclined to acquiesce ur request.'

'Did you just quote Pirates?'

'Maybe.'

I laughed as I set the mobile to the side and turned on the engine. On the drive home, I got two new messages, but I'd always been raised not to txt and drive… ignoring the fact that I didn't even txt until this past November.

The first txt was from Merlin. It was talking about how adorable I was at that age.

The second txt was from someone I'd never before messaged and hadn't even spoken to in over a year. It was from the wonderful Miss Vivian Moffett. I nearly dropped my mobile. It consisted of a time and a place. I was already home, but I turned the car back on and drove out of the parking area without a second thought.

"Arthur Pendragon learning how to use his mobile. It still amazes me."

She was fair, with the lightest blonde hair I'd seen on anyone. She had it pulled back, as usual, and little white baby's breath were tucked into the tied area, giving her an almost innocent air. She had no blemishes on her face, and her blue eyes popped, especially with the eye liner she had on. A light rosy color was put on her eyelids and the edges of her cheek bones, making her look younger and more beautiful than normal. She wore a faint pink lipstick. Apparently even she knew that anything darker would throw off her delicate coloring. When she moved to sip her tea, glass earrings shook themselves free of her hair. She was definitely the same Vivian I once dated.

"Why did you ask me here, Vivian?" I sat straight backed and proper. My drink sat untouched before me. She smiled, something innocent and wicked at the same time.

"I see in the papers that my love has fallen for another AND he's learned to txt and I'm supposed to do nothing?" she asked.

"If I recall properly, the last time we met, you called me a selfish cow and said there would never be a day you regretted more than the day you accepted the role as my girlfriend," I reminded. She seemed to bounce as she shrugged.

"Slip of the tongue," she said. She smiled and raised her tea to her lips once more. "So tell me. Is it true you've got a new boy toy?"

"Would it make any difference to you if I did?" I asked, leaning forward on my elbows.

Vivian froze. Her face dropped into a frown and she daintily set her cup back on the table. There was a visible rise and fall of her entire body as she took a deep breath and seemed to contemplate the best response. Finally, she relaxed her shoulders and leaned slightly forward as though to tell a secret. It didn't matter though. She'd obviously bought out the entire café we were meeting in. There wasn't a soul in sight save for the one barista cleaning the counter.

"Arthur, darling, do you know how men talk about girlfriends that leave them to be with other women? How it's like a blow to their pride as a man because they obviously aren't good enough to keep their woman straight?" she asked.

"I suppose so, yeah. Why?" I asked. Vivian slammed her hands down on the table, nearly tipping over her glass.

"Because that's how I feel!" she screamed. I flinched back in shock, staring wide eyed at the usually delicate flower. I was no newcomer to her true anger hiding under all her shit, but it had been awhile since I'd seen it directed at me. "Do you know how humiliating it is for me? Reporters meet me out of the hotel and ask me what it feels like to think my love has taken flight with another man… to know that I was replaced by a man! It's horrible!"

"Vivian, with all due respect, I didn't replace you for a man. I replace you for nothing, okay? That's how little you meant to me at the end. I felt better being a miserable single man than being with you. Who I'm dating now has nothing to do with replacing you," I clarified. I knew I was being harsh, but that was really the only way to talk to her. She wouldn't get it any other way.

"So you admit you're dating someone these days?" Vivian tried, her voice turning coy and teasing. I knew this trick of hers. She just wanted information.

"I admit that I shouldn't have come here. You're obviously selling out to the tabloids again. That or you wanted me to be privy to your new pity party. If you'll excuse me, I need to go home now," I said, standing up and grabbing my coat.

Vivian stood too and grabbed for my hand.

"Wait!" she cried. She held tightly to my wrist and looked up at my face with a 'you can't refuse something this cute' face, except I could because Merlin was cuter without even trying.

"What is it, Vivian?" I asked. She pouted her lips a bit and shrugged a little.

"If you thought it would be a ruse, why did you even come here? Is it possible I still have some piece of your heart?" she asked. She sounded hopeful and heartbroken at the same time. It almost made me feel for her, except I knew what a twisted witch she could be.

"I came because I hoped it would be different. I came because you finished your txt with the word 'please'," I said. I easily pried her from my hand and sighed. "And it was the first time I'd ever heard the likes from you."

"Then please," she said. "Please pick me over whoever your new someone is. I love you, Arthur. You must know that."

"No."

"Well why not?" she cried in anger.

"Because," I said and looked her in the eyes. "He's done more for me than you could ever hope to do… And you can tell the reporters hiding in the back that I said that."

I heard a slight clang of metal in the back room, probably the reporters reacting to my words, and I smirked. Vivian looked stunned, as though she'd honestly thought I was that stupid.

"Good bye, Vivian. Don't ever txt me again," I said and walked out.

"According to Arthur's last known girlfriend, Vivian Moffett, Arthur has admitted his homoerotic relationship but claims he's still in love with Vivian. Members of the Pendragon household refused to comment on the nature or possibility of Arthur's secret relations, but did have a few choice words about Vivian Moffett's claims. Said Igraine Pendragon, the actor's mother, 'My son was never happier in that relationship than when he left it.' Brother, Mordred, had this to say 'Whoever Arthur is with now, they're a lot better for him than anything Vivian 'Miss Muffet' could come up with.'"

"Did you really say that, Mordred?" I asked, lying stretched out on the couch, eyes closed and resting.

"I may have said some things Mom won't be proud of," Mordred said, nodding his head and shrugging. I smiled and let out a relaxed sigh.

"Says here that no one's been able to find any more evidence of this relationship," Lancelot spoke up, eyes still scanning the article. "All they have is that one photo of the two of you in the snow and the idea that Arthur really likes his new mobile messages."

"That's because we've all become super spies," Gwen laughed. "I've never had so much fun."

"Yeah, well I wouldn't mind it settling down. I'm tired of having to watch my back all the time," I groaned.

"Then stop looking. Let them find you. I don't mind," Merlin mused, snuggling into me. He was lying halfway on top of me, cuddling and watching my every move.

"Do you really understand how much shit we'd be in if they ever found out who you were?" I asked. "I don't mind them knowing you exist, but I really don't want to put that kind of pressure on you."

"Other famous people and their significant others have survived the spotlight," Merlin pointed out.

"Oh! Like Posh and Beckham!" Gwen chimed in. Lancelot broke into a spasm of giggles and Gwen blushed deep scarlet.

"Point taken," Merlin said to make her feel better. "Point is, I'm done with hiding. I let the first picture happen because I wasn't sure how things would unfold after the surgery, but you've made it clear you're not going to change your possessive ways anytime soon."

To emphasize his point and to tease him, I squeezed him tight and wrapped my other arm around him. Merlin let out a displeased grunt.

"My point is," he said again. "The sooner we get it over with, the sooner they'll leave us alone."

"Well actually, they'll probably follow us for the rest of our relationship, or until we die, whichever comes first. We'll just become less important. Then again, if I stay famous, we'll always be important," I mused.

"Then let's always be important," Merlin said.

"Oh my gosh, you two are so cute," Gwen said, covering her mouth as though she'd been impolite.

"Yes. Almost nauseatingly so," Morgana complained. She rubbed her temples and sighed. "Why am I the only single person in this room?"

"I'm single," Mordred piped up. He was sitting by her feet, reading a school textbook… for fun. Morgana smiled and pet his hair.

"Oh, that's so sweet, Mordred. I'd love to have a guy like you, but I'm afraid you're too young," she said. Mordred frowned up at her.

"I'm fourteen," Mordred said. "It's only a six year age difference."

"Seven come March," I said. I grinned and winked at Morgana. "But no, Morgana. Look how cute he is. He's perfect for you. I say go for it."

"You're such a prat, Arthur," she hissed. Mordred was glaring at me too. He stood up and threw his textbook at me as he passed to go to his room. When we heard the door slam behind him, we all sort of just looked between ourselves in shock.

"Do you think it's possible he was actually being serious?" Gwen asked softly.

"No way. Mordred?" I said. "He's never been interested in anything but books."

I said it, but I was still looking over at his door in shock. Mordred liked Morgana? But he was just a kid! He'd barely turned fourteen! There had to be some other explanation, right?

"Either way, Morgana's seven years older than him," Lancelot spoke up. "Until he's of age, she'd be a pedophile anyway."

"Oh thanks, Lancelot," Morgana hissed. "I've always wanted to be a pedophile."

I couldn't tell if she was angry or just embarrassed.

Shortest preview in forever! XD

Preview, Chapter 26 – Not Hiding Anymore

When Merlin told me today would be the first time he'd see Will since the surgery, well I couldn't very well pass that up, now could I? If he had gotten angry and started yelling, I would have been fine with that. If Will freaked out in shock and joy, that would have been fine. It would have been funny…. But this? This was not okay.

"Does everyone think I'm stupid? I did think it through first, you know." He sounded annoyed, which struck me as odd. Merlin was never annoyed.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked.

"Yeah," Merlin said. He nodded and pat his messenger bag.

I chose my clothes to the tunes of McFly's 'Party Girl'. I laughed at myself and danced lamely around the room to grab my hairbrush and sunglasses. It was so unlike me to feel so free. I was letting this free feeling carry me, because I was about to do something potentially stupid. Possibly the stupidest thing I'd ever done…

Take that, sucker.