Traitor
Gaius had been called a lier, a misfit, a coward, a traitor, for staying at Uther's side as the Great Purge raged on.
He had been called worse.
So when Merlin stumbled in, Gaius knew exactly what the look on his face meant. He gathered Merlin up in his arms, gently rocking back and forth. "Oh, my boy," he murmured gently. "Who is it this time?"
Merlin tensed, then sighed. "A druid. Again." He curled in on himself a bit more, and Gaius smoothed Merlin's hair, holding Merlin tight. There really were no words of comfort that could be offered, but the comfort of presence, of safety, of acceptance, was usually enough.
He hoped it would be enough tonight.