This one is a teeny chapter. It's pretty much wrapping up the whole hospital scene. After this normal life, as far as that's possible for our Merlin, will begin.
Almost twenty-four hours after being rescued out of the burning house Merlin regained consciousness. In the room were his parents and they hovered over him the second they saw their son's hand and eyes move.
"Merlin, hunnie?"
Merlin merely groaned in response. His head hurt so much.
"Just take it easy, son."
Merlin's brow creased. Was that his father talking?
"I pressed the call button." That was his mother, he's sure of it. Why couldn't he just open his eyes, they felt so heavy. Maybe he should just sleep some more, yes that's a good idea.
~oOoOo~
"… The girls say hi too." There was a pause. "Err, what else?"
Merlin tried to open his eyes, but they felt like they weighed a ton. He put some more effort in them, meanwhile he heard the voice talk some more, he couldn't exactly make up who it was or what he was saying. It sounded familiar though.
It took him a few tries, but he finally succeeded. A bright light shone into his eyes as soon his lids opened slightly. He winced first but after a few seconds to get used to it he opened his eyes some more.
The voice on his right stopped talking and Merlin turned his head ever so slightly. Blinking sluggishly to try to straighten his vision out. A smile crept onto his face, the voice was of none other than his amazing boyfriend.
"Hey." He said, or so he thought. His lips moved but no sound came out. Merlin cleared his throat, trying once more. "Hey you." It was slightly better, but nothing more above a whisper.
A glass and straw came into his vision. "Here, take a sip of water," Arthur said, pushing the straw against Merlin's lips. Merlin opened up and felt the refreshing water glide into his throat, it was soothing him, clearing the fogginess in his head.
"Better?" Arthur asked, setting the glass back on the bedside table. Merlin nodded.
Arthur bit his lip. "How, how are you feeling?"
"Tired." Merlin answered, his voice still not loud.
"No pain?"
Merlin shrugged lightly.
"Should I get a nurse?"
Merlin's brows creased. "Nurse?"
"Yeah, I could call one?"
"Am I in the hospital?" Merlin asked, taking a glimpse across the room for the first time. He saw a heart monitor, saw the white curtains drawn close on one side of the bed. Felt a nose cannula on his face for the first time since he was awake.
He closed his eyes for a bit. Arthur sat a bit forward, already pushing the call button. It wasn't a bad idea if the nurse or doctor would come, just to be sure.
"Morgana," Merlin finally croaked out. He sounded small, scared.
Arthur heard the sounds of the heart monitor go a bit faster and he pressed a hand on Merlin's arm. "She can't get to you, Merlin. Not anymore."
The door opened and in walked a doctor and a small team of other disciplines. The Mercian Royals coming in last and closing the door.
"He's awake." Arthur said to Balinor and Hunith, standing up to let the medical team tend to his boyfriend. Arthur went to stand beside the royals. "I think he's recalling what happened. He said 'Morgana' and quite frankly, he sounded scared."
"My poor boy," Hunith said, hand on her chest. She was aching to go to her son, but knew she had to let the medics do their thing first.
Balinor reached out to put a hand on Arthur's shoulder. "Thank you for being here, I think he will need you the most."
Arthur gave a soft smile before turning his head to the bed again. Merlin was breathing a bit too harsh for his liking, but he had to put faith into knowing that the doctors knew what to do.