A/N: Hey sorry for the long delay on this update ^-^ I hope you enjoy the long awaited chapter!
Merlin walked down the street in the cold, his hands shoved deep in his hoodie as his neckerchief blew into his face whenever a gust of wind seemed to blow past. He kept his hood up, hoping not to be seen by anyone he may know. He turned the corner, spotting the living home his mother was in. He let a small smile appear on his face, finally seeing something familiar.
He walked in, constantly feeling the temperature difference as he shivered to the warmth. He walked up to the lady at the front desk who was clearly putting all her attention into her phone. He cleared his throat, watching her jump, blushing in embarrassment as she put her phone under her desk into her lap.
"Welcome. How may I help you?" She asks.
Merlin dropped his hood, running a hand through his hair. "I would like a visitors pass to see Hunith Ambrosias in room 34." He explained, leaning against the desk. She nodded, giving him the clipboard.
"All I need is your I.D and for you to fill out this information." She explained. "What is your relation to the patient, if I may ask?"
Merlin grabbed for the pen, scribbling down his information. "She's uh.. My Mum." He says, putting the pen down to grab for his wallet. Pulling out his I.D, he handed it to the lady, biting his lip.
The lady took his I.D and grabbed one of the passes, filling out the piece of paper before handing both of them over. "Make sure to be out before visiting hours are over." She warns.
Merlin took the paper and his I.D, waving a thank you as he walked down the hallways towards his Mothers room. Most of the rooms were closed with a do not disturb sign up, but some were opened, housing older people that looked rather miserable if Merlin were to say to himself.
He spotted his Mothers room, taking in a deep breath, he reached for the doorknob, pausing slightly, he decided to knock. "Mum, you in?" He asked.
He heard shuffling on a bed, before the clanking of silverware on a plate echoed. "Merlin? Come in, come in!" She croaked, her voice sounding rough.
Merlin opened the door, walking into her small brown and blue room that held such beautiful furniture. He spotted his Mother leaning against the back of her head board, half eaten food sat in front of her. Her slowly graying hair was in a side braid that fell down her shoulder. The one thing Merlin noticed was no I.V in her hand, giving him some relief.
"Mum, you look quite... Shabby." He chuckled.
Hunith laughed, opening her arms to welcome a hug. Merlin seized the opportunity, leaning in he embraced her, feeling the familiar warmth of his Mother's arms. Her perfume made him nearly tear up. They clung to each other for a couple more beats, before Merlin broke it, taking a seat next to her.
"It's good to see you, what has my beautiful boy been up too?" She asked, gripping her shall that hung over her shoulders.
Merlin sighed. "Quite a bit." He says. "I got a job."
His Mum perked to this information, shifting her weight to him. "Oh, and where did you get a job at?"
Merlin bit his lip, knowing how his Mother will react to knowing this. "I… erm… got a job as a Manservant to the Pendragon Manor." He explained, biting the inside of his cheek, looking guilty.
His Mother scoffed. "A Servant? What have I told you about that kind of a job! Those types of jobs are degrading and not worth your time. Not to mention with Pendragon himself."
Merlin gripped her hand tighter, sitting closer on the chair. "I needed money. The bills are quite high. I get paid rather well being a Manservant." He explained. "The staff treats me well and so does Arthur. He isn't what the rumors say on the street. He's quite different up close."
His mother looked defeated, but seemed to understand where her son was coming from. "I know it was a tough decision, but I still don't like it."
Merlin's smile widened. "I know, but I am doing okay. I have a roof over my head and I get a weekly paycheck. Once I get the bills paid off, I am going to quit that job." He explained, placing a hand on his Mother's cheek. "I promise."
His Mum snuggled close to it, closing her eyes. "Whatever you do as a Manservant, please do not overwork yourself."
Merlin nods. "I won't I promise." He gazed over at the clock, cursing under his breath. He only had about an hour left of visiting time, so he decided to spend it talking with his mom. Most of it about her medical condition, but finally, Merlin asked the question he's been meaning to for a minute.
"Have you heard from father?" Merlin asked, looking over at her.
Huniths face seemed to grow sad as she stared down at her hands. "I have not. He hasn't contacted me since the day I fell ill. If he does I will let you know, my sweet boy." She says, running a shaking hand through Merlin's hair. As she was doing it, she spotted the white bandage under the neckerchief, causing her eyebrows to knit together in worry. "What happened to your neck?" She asked.
Merlin paled slightly, instinctively grabbing for his neck. "Oh.. uhm… Well with my new job it also comes with quests. Master Arthur has quests sent his way by the high council and he took me on one that had to do with rogue vampires. I was attacked by one of them." He explained.
His Mother looked worried. "Vampires? Are you saying the news has been correct on the return of rogues?" She asked.
Merlin nodded. "Yeah. It seems like there are some heavy conspiracies right now. I just so happen to be apart of it." He explained, looking up to see his mother growing pale with worry. Quickly he shot in a reassuring line. "But uh.. Don't worry. I have my magic. I am safe. This happened because I wasn't paying attention."
Before anymore could be shared, the nurse knocked on the door, opening it immediately. She poked her head in."Visiting is nearing end." She spoke.
Merlin nodded. "Understood. Thank you."
She nodded, stepping back out of the room. Merlin turned to his mother, smiling. "I have to get going, but I promise to visit soon." He explained.
She nodded. "Stay safe, Merlin. I may not agree with everything you have been up to, but I trust you." They hugged. "I love you."
Merlin smiled, squeezing tighter. "I love you too, Mum." He whispered before breaking the hug and kissing the top of her forehead. He stepped back, pulling his hood up as he turned to leave the room. Once in the hall, he sighed in defeat, not really wanting to go back to the manor. So instead he decided to go visit a coffee shop down the street from his Mothers staying. It was his main place to go when he was ready to pull all nighters. He knew this place by the back of his hand and since he had freetime, he wanted to relive it.
He walked into the place, seeing it was as lively as he remembered. He dropped his hood, looking at the counter seeing it was his two favorite people working. Freya and Will, his two best friends. His smile grew wide as he walked up to the counter, leaning against it. Freya was currently typing on her phone near the espresso machine and Will was standing by the pour station, staring at a book.
Merlin cleared his throat. "Is it break time or do you find interest in other things than work?" Merlin asked, catching both of their attention. Freya lit up, a bright smile on her face. Will looked like his normal grumpy self, but even he seemed to find Merlin a saving grace from work.
"Merlin! It has been a minute since you have shown your face around here." Will grumbled out, leaning against the counter in front of Merlin.
"Where have you been? I hope you know you have been missed." Freya smiled, leaning on the broken oven.
Merlin smirked. "Been a bit busy."
Will was taken aback, chuckling. "You got a life? Never suspected that."
Freya smacked him upside the head. "No need to be so rude." She turned to Merlin. "It has been a couple months. Has life been treating you well?" Freya asked.
Merlin shrugged. "Sort of. I have finally gotten a job and seem to spend most of my time there." He explained.
Freya lifted a brow. "A job?"
Merlin nodded, lifting his hood up to show off his golden and yellow sigil. Freya shifted uncomfortably and Will looked surprised. "You got a job as a Servant? Not only a servant but one to the most infamous households possible?" Will says.
Merlin nodded. "I did. The manor is not as bad as the rumors and reputation is made out to be. It is quite nice." He explained.
Freya scoffed. "Why would you sign up to be someones bitch?" She snapped. "They may seem nice now but they will turn on you."
Merlin flinched, remembering this was a tough topic for Freya. She used to be a servant to the De Bois household and Master Agravaine didn't treat her so kindly. He had a bad reputation of abusing his servants for his own enjoyment and Freya was living proof. She was able to get free and burned the sigil off of her arm just to get away from him.
"I'm sorry." Merlin apologized. "I didn't mean to be unpleasant."
Freya sighed, running a hand through her hair. "It is quite alright. I understand why you did it, I just hope they treat you better than mine did." She explains.
Merlin bit his lip, thinking of something to light the mood. Finally thinking of something he straightened up, holding out a fist. "Want to see a new spell I learned?" He asked.
They both nodded. Merlin looked over at Freya. "What fruit would you like?" He asked.
Freya smiled. "How about a strawberry."
Merlin nods and looks at his hand. His eyes glowed gold and he opened his hand, seeing both a strawberry and a half bloomed rose. "I learned how to spell organic material into my hand. It took a lot of studying but I learned." He chuckled, handing both of them to Freya.
"Impressive." Will smirked.
Merlin chuckled, looking over at the clock on the wall. It was already past 6 and he knew he needed to get back to the Manor. He sighed. "Well I need to get going, but I shall stop by when i get free time." He explained.
Freya and Will understood, waving a goodbye as Merlin left the cafe. He didn't want to get coffee, since he needed sleep before Arthur drags him off somewhere else in the middle of the night again. He put his hood back up, walking out into the cold. He kept his body closed in, walking down the street.
When he made it back to the Manor, the gate was still opened and he spotted Arthur standing on the balcony. Merlin gulped, walking up the driveway, keeping his head downcasted as he made it into the Manor.
It was quiet, aside from some dishes moving in the kitchen. Merlin gulped, making his way up the stairs and towards his room. As he passed a room, he felt a cold presence hit him, causing him to knit his eyebrows. He didn't stop though, too tired to think.
Once in his room, he didn't bother to change. Instead, he plopped on his bed, immediately falling asleep.
