Chapter 37
An hour after Elyan called, a doctor approached them, "Mr Pendragon?"
Merlin looked up immediately, "Yes?"
"Your friend said you'd be here."
"Which friend?" Gwaine asked.
"Leon?"
"Is he ok?"
"He's fine, I was looking for you and he sent me here."
"Why were you looking for us?"
"I need to talk to Merlin Pendragon about his husband."
"Why? Is he-"
"I shouldn't say in front of everyone, it's-"
"Just tell us," Merlin insisted, wiping away a tear he certainly hadn't permitted to fall, "Is Arthur alive?"
"He survived surgery. The bullet had pierced his heart and was stuck in the right arterial wall. We removed it, sewed his heart up and he's in the ICU. Now it just depends whether his heart is strong enough to hold. He went into cardiac arrest mid-operation but we managed to shock his heart back into normal rhythm and finish with no other complications."
Gwen put her hand on Merlin's back comfortingly.
"Has he got a chance?" Merlin asked.
"Not a good one."
"A chance is a chance, does he have one or not?" Gwaine demanded.
"Yes."
"Thank you," Merlin choked out between sobs, "Thank you."
"Of course," the doctor said, "You can see him, if you like."
"I'll- erm- in the morning," Merlin stuttered.
"Ok," the doctor smiled, "I'll come back and get you."
"Thank you."
"The police want to talk to you all but not until you're ready."
"Ok."
The doctor left them alone with a sad smile. Merlin made eye-contact with Gwaine and suddenly burst out laughing. Gwaine watched him in confusion for a couple of seconds before he too was grinning and laughing. Gwen began giggling not long after, despite having been concerned to begin with. And then, even Percival was chuckling. They laughed until they were clutching their sides and trying to catch their breaths.
"It hurts!" Gwaine declared with a snort, placing his hand over his bandage, "It actually hurts!"
This, naturally, just made them laugh more. When they finally managed to calm down enough to speak, the mood became solemn again.
"Well," Gwaine said, "I think it's time we go and see our friends."
Gwen went to Lancelot, Percival went to Leon and Gwaine made his way to the ICU with Merlin. Morgana had finally managed to get into surgery to sort her abdomen out so obviously no one needed to be there with her. They'd all agreed to text with updates when they knew more.
Merlin hesitated a bit when they reached the entrance.
"Ok?" Gwaine asked.
Merlin gulped, nodded and readjusted his grip on his crutches, "Yeah. Let's go."
Arthur didn't look good. He was hooked up to a ventilator and paler than Merlin had ever seen him before. His heart beat, judging by the machines, was slow but regular and his chest was covered in dressings and bandages.
"This is so wrong," Merlin said to Gwaine, "He shouldn't look like this."
Gwaine squeezed Merlin's shoulder, "We've seen you like this more times than I can count."
"This is what it feels like."
"Yeah. Not great," Gwaine said, "But you learn pretty quickly you can say anything you like and nothing happens."
Merlin chuckled.
"Come on," Gwaine got a couple of chairs, "Sit down."
"What do you do?" Merlin asked, "You all sit with me for days when I'm like this."
"Talk to him," Gwaine prompted with a smirk.
Merlin stared at him blankly.
"Wow, you really are useless when you're not the one who's injured. Just comfort him, tell him how annoyed you'll be if he dies. You know, all the stereotypical cheesy stuff."
"With you sitting behind me sniggering? I don't think so."
Gwaine shrugged. A nurse came in to talk to them but they didn't learn anything except to not get their hopes up. At one point, Merlin placed his hand on Arthur's chest, right above his heart so he could feel the beating. Gwaine went out briefly to talk to the police with Percival and when he came back, Merlin was slumped over the bed, hand still on Arthur's chest and eyes closed. Gwaine wasn't entirely surprised. Merlin had only slept for two hours of a seventeen hour flight so when taking into consideration what time he'd got up the morning before they went to the airport, how long they'd been in the hospital since and the time zone differences, Merlin had received a mere two hours of sleep across more than forty hours.
Gwaine hated to disturb him but the police needed to see him too so reluctantly, Gwaine shook Merlin's shoulder.
"The police need to speak to you," Gwaine said sympathetically, "I'll stay, I promise. Here," he held out Merlin's prosthetic leg, "I collected this for you. Let me tell you, I looked like a right wally walking through the hospital with it."
Merlin smiled a little bit, "Where are they?" he asked as he pulled his trouser leg up so he had access to his knee.
"There's someone waiting outside to take you down to them," Gwaine bit back a smile.
"Ok," Merlin looked at Arthur longingly and kissed his forehead.
"Don't worry," Gwaine said, "I'll take care of him."
Merlin stood up and left the room. When Gwaine had said there was someone waiting outside to show him where the police were, he was expecting an officer or a member of hospital staff. He was not, however, expecting his mother.
"Mum!"
Hunith hugged her son tightly and held him close to her.
"What are you doing here?"
"Why wouldn't I be here?"
"Mum, the home!"
"Don't worry about them."
"Did you run away?" Merlin smirked.
"Possibly."
Merlin grinned and hugged her again. "It's so good to see you."
"Come on," Hunith took his arm, "Gwaine wasn't lying when he said the police need to see you."
Merlin couldn't bring himself to care that they were walking less than half the speed he usually would and the only reason she was staying upright was because of their linked arms. He didn't care because she was here. She'd literally run away from her care home in the middle of the night to catch a plane and come over to see him because Arthur was hurt.
"Does Freya know?"
"I sent her a message to tell her I'm safe."
"You'll have to call her."
"Later. I'm here to be with you not call back home."
Merlin rolled his eyes. They were now waiting for the lift to take them down to an office near A&E where the police were waiting. They'd already spoken to Percival, Gwen and Gwaine and someone had been round to Leon and Lancelot's rooms too.
"Don't worry, there's not much we need to ask you," an inspector said when Merlin knocked on the door. He and Hunith went in and sat down. She was allowed to stay because she'd had nothing to do with it and hadn't been there.
"This is more about giving you the facts than getting the facts ourselves," the inspector continued, "I do need to ask, though, how certain are you that the policeman who released fire on Alined was only doing so after Alined himself starting shooting crazily."
"Positive," Merlin said, "When we all ducked down the police hadn't started firing."
"Do you know how many of the police were shooting?"
"No. Probably one or two, judging from the sounds but I couldn't see for sure."
"And did anyone fire again after Alined shot your husband?"
Merlin hesitated, "I don't think so."
"Do you have any idea how many bullets were fired?"
"Probably a few dozen. I can't say definitely."
"Ok. It's all over the news by now and we want you, being directly involved, to know the facts not the rumours. Alined was a diagnosed psychopath, he received treatment for a short while in America. He had a hard time accepting his diagnosis, didn't want to accept any sort of illness. Ever since then he's been hiding it and actively speaking out against anyone with a disability- mental or physical. We've got records of social media posts, past jobs he's been fired for, all for the same reason. Have you ever heard his name before?"
"No."
"He's never sent in a complaint?"
"Not that I know of, Guinevere would know better than me. It's doubtful from America, though."
"Not even since it was announced you'd be expanding?"
"No."
"You should know, he truly was crazy. This isn't something likely to happen again."
"I know."
The inspector nodded.
"Did he have family or anything?"
"A brother. He's been informed. I can't tell you anything more about him."
"Ok."
"Do you have any more questions?"
"How did he get the gun onto the plane?"
"We believe he had an accomplice who was a member of staff at the airport. He went through customs and security perfectly clean, met his friend before boarding and hid the weapon through the flight."
Merlin nodded.
"You have grounds to sue the airline or the airport if you wish on behalf of yourself or your husband. I've said the same to all your friends."
"Did any of them say they would?"
"I'm not allowed to say. I can get you lawyers if you want."
"No," Merlin said, "No, I don't. Just leave it."
"Ok. If that's what you want. Should he survive, Arthur will get the same offer."
Merlin nearly glared at her. He knew, medically Arthur didn't stand much chance but that hadn't quite sunk in yet and as far as Merlin was concerned at the moment, Arthur was definitely going to be fine.
"That's all, unless either of you want to ask anything else."
"Did Alined die?"
The inspector looked at him and pursed her lips before nodding, "Before the paramedics got to him."
"So his final act was to kill Arthur."
The inspector passed Merlin a post-it note with a phone number scrawled on it, "This is mine, if you do think of anything else you want to ask."
"Thank you," Hunith said.
"Now, I suggest you get yourselves some breakfast and a few hours' rest."
Merlin stood up, helped Hunith to her feet and held the door open for her.
"Breakfast certainly seems like a good idea," Hunith said as she hooked her arm through Merlin's, "What do you think?"
"I'm not hungry."
"Merlin!" Percival approached them from down the corridor, "Have you seen Gwaine?"
"He's with Arthur."
"We need to go and pick Eira up," Percy said apologetically, "She's not happy, Elyan's worried she might have a seizure and he's never seen one before, he doesn't know what to do."
"Ok," Merlin said easily, "I'm going back up now. Could you take mum to the café so she can get some breakfast and I'll fetch Gwaine? We'll meet you there."
"Of course," Percival held out his arm for Hunith.
Once Merlin had fetched Gwaine and they were on their way to the café, he said, "We thought things were getting better, you know."
"What?"
"We thought our life was getting better. I wasn't getting sick or hurt. The worst things that happened in ages were that fever and the plane crash. And now- Gwaine, this is so much worse than anything that's happened to me. I don't know how to cope with this."
"This is the most serious thing you're ever going to hear me say, alright so be prepared. The love that you and Arthur have for each other is so different to any other on the planet. It's stronger, more pure. Merls, there's a reason you keep surviving the un-survivable. There's a reason that no matter how sick you get, how close to death you are, you spring right back. Every time we think it's less likely but you always do. It's not just because you're the superhero that the kids claim you are. You and Arthur, the bond you have, it's stronger than anything else in the world. I truly believe that. You're tested constantly- only just allowed to believe you might have peace when it's ripped away again. But you have more peace with each other than any of us have in our marriages. Always have.
"He's going to spring back. Just like you always do. Because I don't think it's you that's the superhero, I think it's your love. And your love infects everyone you meet, Merlin. And there's no one you love more than Arthur."
Merlin took a deep breath, "If you're wrong, I'm never speaking to you again."
Gwaine chuckled, "Deal."
They found Percival and Hunith sitting at a table together with four plates piled high with food. They seemed to be having a serious conversation with each other and Hunith had her hand on Percival's wrist.
Merlin and Gwaine sat down, "Not cheating on me, are you Perce?"
Percival looked at Merlin, "Have I ever told you that your mother is the most amazing person on the planet?"
"You don't need to," Merlin almost smiled, "I know."
"I was only giving him a bit of advice."
"As queen parent of sick children, she knows a few good tips on coping with Eira," Percival said.
"I bet she's prepared speeches for everyone to make them feel better," Merlin teased lightly.
"I had a plane journey to think about them," Hunith smiled, "Now eat up, everyone, you need your food."
Merlin picked at his food. Stupid thoughts kept coming to the front of his mind that were inexplicably devastating. Arthur might never pick up a fork again or taste his favourite food. His last meal would have been slightly cold aeroplane food. When was the last time they'd even had his favourite meal? Arthur didn't like toast that was too brown or beans that were too gloopy or bacon that was too crispy. He wouldn't drink his tea if it wasn't hot enough and he'd only have orange juice at breakfast if he had coffee, never with tea. With tea, he'd only have water, straight from the cold tap with a few ice cubes.
Merlin and Arthur might never sit at a dinner table together. They'd never feed Killi under the table slyly and pretend it was the other person. They'd never share a bottle of wine and clink their glasses together. All of these thoughts plaguing his mind just because of a meal. What would happen when he went about the rest of his day? Walking the dogs, doing the dishes, showering, going to bed, brushing his teeth, going to work.
It wasn't fair. Everyone else had been shot on the plane and none of them were going to die. In fact they were all walking and talking just fine. Merlin hadn't even been hurt at all. Not physically, anyways.
By the time the other three were finished eating, Merlin hadn't even left any evidence on his plate that any food had been started. He'd consumed so little that it looked untouched.
Hunith sighed, "Merlin-"
"I'm going to call Freya." Merlin stood up and walked away.
He sat down against a wall and got his phone out. His eyes teared up at the sight of his lock screen so he quickly opened his phone and dialled his sister's number.
"Merlin! I've been calling you all morning!"
"I know, I'm sorry. I'm a bit preoccupied."
"Merlin, it's all over the news. Who was it?"
"Who was what?"
"Well it said seven people were injured, all co-owners of Albion. And one of them could be fatal."
"Yeah."
"I'm assuming, seeing as you're talking to me that you're not the one fatally injured."
"No. It's not me."
"Then who, Merlin? We've been worried sick."
"It's Arthur."
Freya fell silent, "No."
"They were all shot. Everyone but me. Lance's leg, Gwaine's side, Percy's arm, Gwen's ear, Leon's elbow, Morgana's stomach."
"And Arthur?"
"The bullet got stuck in his heart."
"Oh, Merlin, I'm so sorry."
"He's dying. Right in front of me."
"No. No, he made it to hospital, through surgery. His chances are so much better."
"Everyone looks like they've already been to his funeral."
"Merlin, you need to know something."
"What?"
"Mum's missing."
Merlin laughed, "She's not."
"No, she really is. She's gone. She's nowhere in the home, she's not with us or on her way to us. We even checked mine and Matt's old house in the city and down by the waterfall here."
"She's here, Freya. She flew over as soon as she found out. I called her, I was jetlagged and tired and upset, I forgot what time it was and that she was… well, you know. She was the only one I could talk to, I didn't expect her to show up a few hours later."
"Merlin! I've been terrified all morning! For you, for mum, for everyone!"
"She said she texted you!"
"Hours ago, Merls."
"How was I meant to know? No offence, Freya but when I get held hostage at gunpoint by a psychopath, watch my husband get shot in the heart right in front of me, spend hours in a hospital trying to keep track of all my injured friends while constantly worrying about Arthur- all of this having not slept in forty hours, by the way- the last thing on my mind is a few nurses back in Ireland running around after mum when I know she's perfectly safe. I don't care if that's selfish."
"It's not selfish! Merlin, if I tell them, they'll come and pick her up but if I don't they'll get the police involved."
"I'll get mum to call you," he sighed, "It doesn't feel real."
"That's because you don't want it to be."
"Of course I don't!"
"Then don't let it be. Merlin both of you have so much support around you. Your friends, mum, me, the doctors, all the staff at work. He's being well looked after. Be there for him like he's always there for you but don't live by his bedside. It's so toxic, Merls and there's no reason to. Go home and-"
"I won't go home."
"Then stay with someone else. Go to a hotel. But get some sleep, Merlin and eat a proper meal then take the dogs for a walk and give them a cuddle. Then you can come back to him. He had heart surgery, he's going to be out of it for a while. It's more important that you're there when he knows you're there. Be there the rest of the time when you can but right now, you can't. Who's hurt the least?"
"Gwaine and Perce. But they picking up Eira, Will, Killi and Aithusa from Elyan."
"Can you stay with Elyan?"
"No, he's still got Belle, Luke and Vilia. And his own family, of course."
"Promise me you'll sleep somewhere that isn't the hospital. Today."
"I promise."
"Ok. I love you, Merlin."
"Love you, too."
"Get mum on the phone to me within ten minutes."
"I will."
Merlin put his phone away, went into the nearest bathroom he could find and washed his face with cold water. A tiny glance in the mirror told him more than enough of how bad he looked.
When he got back to the café, Gwen had joined the others.
"Merlin, I've been trying to find you. Do you need somewhere to crash for a bit? We're getting a taxi to Elyan's and we'll figure out a plan there for today and tomorrow."
Merlin nodded, "I want to check in on Arthur before we go, though."
"Ok."
"I'll walk with you," Hunith said, "I'm staying while you're not here in case any of them need someone and Arthur's not by himself."
"Are you sure?"
Hunith nodded, "I'm ok, Merlin, I promise."
"Fine but you tell a doctor so they're aware just in case."
"Ok."
"And Freya wants you to call."
"Ok."
Gwen smiled, "We'll call for a taxi and meet you in the car park," she said to Merlin.
Merlin and Hunith walked back to Arthur's room slowly. Merlin was almost disappointed to see him looking exactly the same as he had an hour ago.
"I'm going to the loo," Hunith said quietly, ducking out the room.
Merlin went over to Arthur and took his hand, "I won't be gone for long," he promised, "So just get some rest, let them take care of you and I swear from the second I come back to the second you wake up, I'm not going anywhere. You're only meant to be here for a couple of days then you'll be moved somewhere else. You have to be ok, Arthur. I need someone to help me open the milk," Merlin's lip trembled, "I know what's it's like now. I know how you've felt whenever I've been hurt or in a coma or whatever. I get it and I hate it."
He put his hand on Arthur's chest, "You know how much I need that heartbeat. It better still be here when I come back. It better be stronger and louder. Or I'll get Killi to come in and jump on your chest until it comes back. He's a hero dog, you know that. He'll do it.
"I love you so much, Arthur," Merlin moved his hand from Arthur's chest to his cheek, being careful of the tubes in his mouth and nose, "You're my favourite person in the world. Always and forever, ok? That's what we promised." He kissed Arthur's forehead, stroked his hair, then kissed his cheek. "I love you."
On his way out, he stopped by the doctor's station. "Excuse me, my mother's staying with my husband in that room there. She suffers from vascular dementia. She's stable but she's in there by herself. Could you keep an eye on her?"
"Of course."