Alternate Universe - Modern Setting

After his husband's death, counsel Merlin Emrys had moved from Ealdor to Camelot, where he met Detective Arthur Pendragon. Both men tiptoeing around their feelings for each other for almost two years now. Then a shooting at the courthouse changes everything.

Two shots rang out simultaneously.

"ARTHUR!" Merlin yelled, running towards the Detective.

He was collapsed on the hard cold floor, clutching his arm, breathing sharply through gritted teeth. The other police officers Lance and Gwaine skidded onto the scene, and in seconds Lance was calling for an ambulance.

Cenred King, the man which had stormed with a gun into the courthouse, wasn't going to be getting up anytime soon.

"You're going to be fine, you hear me?" Merlin told the Detective, as Arthur drew shuddering breaths. He pressed his hand over Arthur's, keeping pressure on the wound caused by the bullet, just as his uncle Dr. Gaius Williams had teached him.

"M-Merlin." Arthur gasped as he moved.

Merlin put the index finger of his spare hand gently on the Detective's lips. "Shh. Don't speak," he whispered in a breathy voice.

He could see the pain and fear in Arthur's eyes and his heart clenched. "Arthur listen to me...you're going to be fine. Don't-don't leave me."

The wail of sirens was getting closer, and soon Arthur was lifted into the back of an ambulance and driven away to St. Avalon's hospital.

Merlin stood up, his hands shaken as Gwaine walked over to him, "Merlin? You're okay?"

He nodded slowly. "Can-can you take me to St. Avalon's?"

Gwaine walked with Merlin to one of the police cars car and they drove in silence to the hospital.

ooOoo

Merlin hurried over to the receptionist.

"Where is Detective Arthur Pendragon?" He asked and the woman glanced at him.

"I'm sorry Sir, only family and-"

Looking at the ring still on his finger, Merlin improvised. "He's my...f-i-a-n-c-e-e .", and the woman raised her eyebrows.

"Of course, Sir," she looked still disbelieving at Merlin, "in that case, room 266."

Merlin turned and moved away, followed by Gwaine.

"Fiancee?" Gwaine grinned and Merlin cuckled.

"Just don't tell Arthur I said that to get in." He smirked, and Gwaine knocked on the door to the room. "Otherwise I'm dead."

Gwaine pushed the door open, and Arthur looked up.

"Well...hi." He smirked at Gwaine and glanced at Merlin.

"Hey princess." Gwaine teased, and sat down in one of the plastic chairs.

Merlin glanced at the chairs, and opted instead to sit next to Arthur on the bed. The Detective rolled his eyes. Gwaine stood up, slightly smirking.

"I'll go get some coffee."

"Hi." Arthur smiled, and Merlin's fingers brushed lightly over the bandage around the Detective's arm.

"Hi." He answered, not meeting Arthur's eyes.

"Merlin?" Arthur said and he finally looked at him. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-"

Merlin cut off Arthur's words by putting his lips over the Detective's. They didn't notice the door opening, and then closing when Gwaine noticed what was happening.

"About bloody time."