Creepy doctor, Morgana a mom?
Merlin and Emrys finally being somewhat civil? Or not?
It feels like everyone in this story is just walking on egg shells
I have the general idea of every major plot point. But each time I write things up I always get new ideas for the minor stuff lol
Enjoy the read :)
Here Merlin was waiting for his name to be called…
Morgana was already sent to another part of the facility, how lucky for her that she'll be done before him no doubt.
Merlin kept rubbing his wrists…he hates this place. He hates being around so many people, especially with so little space between them.
"We shouldn't be here Merlin; we keep shooting ourselves in the foot."
"Have you always been this preachy?"
"You know fully well that no mortal medicine can do anything to us."
"Hey, at least I got you to separate yourself from me just now…
"What choice do I have? Like you, I too must accept reality. I must accept that you are allowing our soul to be pulled in two opposing paths…that is the only reason why we keep failing."
"…"
"We aren't 'sick' whatsoever…"
"Whether I am or not, it doesn't matter."
"We need to be united once more Merlin, before it's too late."
"What you want…there's no way I can do that. Especially now."
"Tck…I can't believe you're even thinking about raising our children in a world that's beyond saving!"
"Look, maybe one day we can do something about all this. Morgana is still looking for a way, but until then there are no circumstances in which I'll allow you to run rampant and endanger the lives of our children."
"How dare you?! If anything, I'm the only one who's trying to save them!"
"By destroying mankind?"
"As opposed to what? Allowing those hairless apes to destroy THEM?!"
"Morgana and I would be there to protect them."
"Like how we protected ourselves in the war?"
"…That's not fair."
"Of course not."
"You need to remember, no matter what…Morgana is human. Our children will be half human themselves."
"You know I find it aggravating that the moment you acknowledge we are one and the same…you still speak as if you'd rather be anything but."
"Please…Emrys…please trust that our family will be fine. We don't need to go so far as to what you're suggesting."
"The opportunity is perfect! The plan is fool proof! All we would have to do is -!"
"Nothing is ever fool proof and nothing is without risks or consequences…I thought we both learned this throughout the centuries?"
"…"
"Please Emrys…"
"And did you not once even consider…that our children may not even inherit our powers…least of all our immortality?"
Merlin sighed…yes he did consider the possibility…and yes it did keep him stressed.
"Whether they have magic or not doesn't mean it'll be harder to keep them safe. As for their potential lifespan well…if they decide to be as eternal as us, than we will do what we can to make it happen."
"And if not? Can we truly stand by and bury our flesh and blood…again?"
"If that's what they choose…than yes."
"…"
"…"
"Appleby?"
Merlin looked up and saw a nurse waving him over to follow to the doctor's office. As she told him to take a seat, Merlin took a deep breath and tried to keep himself from fidgeting too much.
It was ridiculous really, but this place always unnerved him. Perhaps it's because it always reminded him of Gaius, and how he never really had closure with him.
"Do we really require any?"
"He did help raise us, even if he gave us poor advice. We should at least be grateful he never turned us in."
"Why would he? To do so would have meant incriminating himself also."
"You really love believing the worst in people, do you?"
"It's how he lived his life. Don't tell me it never bothered you when he would always excused Uther's actions as justified."
"Of course it did, but at the time…I guess it just didn't click to me that Gaius was never going to change his habits. And by the time I realized that I had picked up those same habits…everyone was already gone."
"Which is why I say good riddance. At least he wasn't one of the reincarnates…"
Before Merlin could respond, Dr. Crook stepped into the office in his white doctor's attire. A small smile on his bald head as he sat by his desk with files and a pen in hand.
"Ah Mr. Appleby so good to see you again, how's the wife? I notice she isn't with us today; all is well I assume?"
Merlin quelled the urge to glare and roll his eyes, he really didn't care for small talk nor people butting into his business…least of all about his wife.
"She's fine. I assume you know I'm here because your pills are trash?"
Dr. Crook gave an amused snort as he wrote some notes down "Yes well, we can't just shoot you up to the maximum dosage immediately, as we told Mrs. Appleby in your last visit these things take time."
Okay now Merlin did roll his eyes, what a load of horseshit.
"Well as you can see nothing changed, so if you wouldn't mind just upping my dosage I'll gladly be off."
"Well Mr. Appleby as long as you're aware of the potential risks involved than so be it. However, you will have to sign a form to show that you consent to the treatment and won't sue…"
"Seriously…?"
"Well since you insist on upping to dosage, and while I am hesitant I must say your blood does show that your heartrate is normal and blood pressure is average."
The things magic can do.
"Fine." Once Merlin signed the stupid thing, Dr. Crook than filed it away and opened a drawer where he brought out a bottle of a much stronger medication.
"Same rules as before, once a day every 24 hours. Any problems just call…but no lawsuits."
"Great, now give the bloody thing so I can piss off home already." Merlin's patience was at an end, he really hated coming here and he hated this fucking clown of a doctor!
"Hehe of course Mr. Appleby I shan't keep you further. Please do try to enjoy your day, too much anger isn't good for the heart after all." Dr. Crook gave a sly smile, smug prick.
"And too much sass isn't good for your face when I smack it. Goodbye."
Merlin marched out of the office with ferociousness, deciding to wait for Morgana in the car when he tried to look for her but the receptionist said she was still with her doctor.
Great…
Once he closed the door on the passenger side, he leaned back and tried to release all the tension in his body.
"I hope we can at least agree that Crook is one human we wouldn't mind killing."
"Still too far…although if accidents were to occur, I wouldn't cry about it…"
Finally, Morgana walked out of the hospital. The look on her face was blank, which didn't really tell Merlin anything positive or negative…
As she shut the car door she sighed, leaning her head against the steering wheel.
"So…how was it?"
Morgana lifted her head up and looked at Merlin who was showing some concern at her mood.
Without saying a word she just gave him the paperwork from the doctor…which showed that she was indeed pregnant.
"Holy shit…"
"…Yep…" Morgana still didn't really give away any expression, maintaining a neutral look.
"…I mean are they absolutely sure?"
"Yes Merlin. I literally had to hold my pee all fucking morning just for this. Ugh…" If she can avoid doing that ever again it'd be a blessing.
"Holy shit."
"Yes dear you've said that already."
"You're pregnant."
"Thanks for also stating the obvious."
"You're pregnant…"
"Merlin, are you just going to act like a damaged record?"
Well that snapped Merlin out of his funk, goodness if only Morgana WOULD go back to record playing instead of this damn 'spotify' nonsense…
"Ha ha."
Morgana rolled her eyes, sighing once more as she just stared at her lap.
Merlin was confused himself but more so on Morgana's reaction…or rather lack thereof…
"I must confess that I had assumed your reaction would have been more…positive?"
"…"
"I mean given that you absolutely loved the dream kids you dreamt up…?"
"…"
"Just wondering is all…"
Morgana huffed as she rubbed her eyes trying to gather her thoughts.
"Why'd you take so long anyway?"
"Because I had questions Merlin. Unlike you I actually tolerate my doctors and don't mind staying a few extra minutes."
Well bully for her than…
"Are you not pleased by this news than?"
"It's not that I'm NOT happy. Of course I am…"
"But?"
"We've tried to have this happen for over 300 years, Merlin. And we failed every single time…I failed every single time."
"Come on, you're being too hard on yourself."
"Am I? Most women get lucky on their first or second try. At most their 4th. How many times have we had sex this past decade alone Merlin?! Now multiply that by about 300 years give or take!"
"Okay okay…point taken."
Morgana waved him off "No no I'm sorry, I'm not mad about this I promise I'm not. I just don't really know if I feel safe bringing this child into the world with the Fates on our arses…"
"Even she agrees…"
"Morgana, I just want to do what I can to make you happy. If having children makes you happy than we'll do it." Merlin reached across and pulled her over to his chest, kissing her head.
"It's just…I was always envious of them. All the women who had families of their own…Given my history of shitty families I just wanted to at least experience motherhood once. Just once would have sufficed." Morgana just let Merlin carry her weight against the car seat, taking in the comfort he provided.
"I mean yes we had Aithusa, she and all of her beautiful children are our family no matter what. But…"
"But it isn't the same as having a child that you yourself created." Merlin deduced.
Morgana nodded. "The hatchlings were adorable but…well they're Dragons. They're naturally independent at a far superior rate than humans. By the time they were 4 years old they went off to hunt their own game."
That was true, Merlin remembered when Cynfab was that age. He had already been on his own for 2 years. Aithusa while a bit saddened felt prideful that her son was living up to his heritage.
Merlin can see another reason why Morgana would be this determined however. Vivienne died when Morgana was hardly old enough to remember, Gorlois died when she was a kid, Uther was Uther and Morgause manipulated her.
"Well now you'll have the chance to be like all those other women."
Morgana looked up at Merlin who smiled at her, gently rubbing her hair with his fingers.
"You're already pregnant, that dream of yours will be a reality in just a matter of months."
"And what makes this different from the previous attempts…?"
Merlin hummed "I have a good feeling about this one."
Silence was dominant as both soaked everything in.
"Merlin…are you sure about this?"
"Why wouldn't I be darling?"
Morgana bit her lip, trying to find a way to say this correctly…
"I never was able to tell with you, if you ever truly wanted kids?"
"…"
"You say it's fine if this makes me happy but Merlin…will you be happy?"
Isn't that the big question?
Would he love any child they have together? Of course.
Would he think Morgana would make a great mother? Given the fact that it's what she's been wanting for so long of course she would be.
Would he make a great father…?
"What if I can't be a good father?"
Morgana sat up as she stared into Merlin's deep blue eyes, actually understanding his fear.
"I get it, this is entirely new for us. I never had a mother, nor you a father. But we're a team are we not? After every other obstacle we pushed through I think parenthood will make for an interesting challenge."
She than tapped his heart, giving a chuckle as a thought came to her "I mean you can't be any worse than Uther."
"I mean when the bar's THAT low…"
"Than you'll be the best dad ever."
Merlin quirked a brow as he snorted. "Than I hope you're ready for many sleepless nights."
"Forget that, you sir need to be ready to stop me from eating anything gross and weird."
"This coming from the woman who eats pineapple on pizza?"
Morgana slapped his arm but with Merlin giggling like a school boy it may as well have been made by a mouse.
"So I assume we won't know for some time if you'll be having twins or not?" If she is having twins than definitely makes her dream a vision of some kind at least…
Morgana nodded "Yeah that's not for a couple of months or so, so enjoy my slender figure while you still can."
"Are you mad? I'm anticipating seeing parts of you…expand shall we say?"
Morgana rolled her eyes at the smirk on his face. "Why would I expect anything else?"
"I mean don't pregnant women feel more lustful?"
"How should I know? If I do than I guess it's bad news for you."
"Huh? How?"
"Because Merlin I'll never be giving you a moment's rest, obviously." Hah! Her turn to smirk at the sight of his sudden concern.
"Okay let's not get too carried away here."
"Hmm…"
"Come on switch, I'll drive us home."
Morgana looked a bit shocked at that but hey, whenever Merlin actually offers to use modern technology…of course she's going to say yes.
"Please don't crash."
"Oh just move."
As they made their way back to their cottage, if Merlin noticed Emrys staring at him from the mirror with a disapproving look…well he'll just have to wait until they're home.
But first Morgana suggested a pitstop…
"I mean what exactly do babies need?"
"Well Merlin I'd imagine it's everything in the baby aisle?"
"No need to be a smartass, I mean what specifically…surely we can't just buy the entire section?"
"Oh? Why not?"
Merlin was not impressed. "Be practical Morgana. What baby is going to use all this junk for anyway?"
"Look I just want to make sure that our child has all they want. I certainly did as a child."
"Yeah. Emphasis on child as in old enough to walk, talk and shit on your own."
"Oh quit being so stingy Merlin."
"I certainly didn't have any toys when I was one month old, and my childhood was still just fine."
Morgana rolled her eyes "Of course it was, your magic was the only toy you needed."
"Why don't you just buy the whole store than Morgana?"
"Hmm…?"
"Stop."
"I mean we could…"
"I mean it."
"A nice little family business to call our own…"
"Yeah I'm just going to buy whatever." Merlin shoved random diapers into their basket and just went to look for a crib.
"Oh fine, but I'm loving the idea of us owning our own establishment. Something we can leave behind to the kids." Morgana smiled as she began brainstorming possibilities.
"Leave behind what? We're here forever darling. Besides what establishment would that even be? Today's world is so complex compared to the days when any halfwit could open a tavern or an inn and call it a success."
"Well not with that attitude my dear husband. But we'll focus on that in the future, for now our Renewal and incoming family is ample enough to occupy my thoughts for." Morgana waved off Merlin's complaints.
"Tck…for the far future I hope…"
"What was that?"
"Oh forget it."
"Thought so." Morgana chuckled at the grumpy look Merlin sported.
Once they finally agreed to just get 1 toy for the baby…who could go wrong with legos?
"Should we get formula?" Morgana eyes the containers in question skeptically.
"Formula? A formula for what?"
"No Merlin, baby formula."
"…Again, a formula a what?"
Morgana groaned, "It's some modern things where instead of breast feeding you just well…feed babies these." She said pointing to the different brands of baby formula.
Merlin looked horrified at the thought. "This is what people today feed their urchins?"
"It would seem so."
"…How?"
"I mean it says just add water and I guess then it becomes milk?" Morgana looked at some of the instructions, trying to figure out what to do.
Merlin sighed. "I'm not a baby but-"
"Debatable."
"BUT, powder with water doesn't sound appetizing to me."
"Hmm…" For once Morgana was in agreement with Merlin's old-fashioned way of thinking. "Well unless my breasts were literally devoid of milk, I guess tradition is the way to go with this one."
"In other words, you concede victory to me?"
"Hush dear, smugness is an ugly look on you."
"I'll change that soon don't worry."
"Down boy, we're in public."
"Oh please, when has that ever stopped us?"
I mean…fair play.
Still, there's a time and place.
"Come on, we're almost done here."
Merlin sighed yet was thankful that they can leave soon as he carried their baskets to the…uhhh
"What the hell is this?"
"It's an automated checkout system Merlin."
"…?"
Morgana snorted at his cluelessness "We just scan our items; the machine calculates the price and we put money in it."
"…Right…"
"Relax, I'll do it."
"It's fine, just explain it to me again…slowly…"
Morgana smiled at Merlin's earnest attempts to get this right. It reminded her of when he finally allowed her to teach him to drive…thank goodness they weren't around anyone…or anything.
"Okay…when we get home we should think about expanding."
"Morgana can we just take it one step at a time? Whether it's a baby or two or three…they're not going to be born tomorrow."
"Ugh fine, I need time to consider the new layout anyway."
"Yeah whatever." Merlin dodged the slap and took their bags over to the trunk of their car.
As Merlin prepared to drive off, he once more saw Emrys in the back. That same disapproving gaze once again prevalent. Right…one more thing to deal with before he can put this day behind him.
In the end they decided to simply have the crib in their own room, it just seemed more practical in the event of any kind of emergency.
Morgana really needed to lie down, which meant…unfortunately Merlin had to be in charge of what to eat tonight.
"Please please please…don't worry about anything fancy or sophisticated it's alright…just don't burn down the house again…please."
Merlin snorted "Sweetheart relax, I know exactly the kind of meal you need. You just rest up, tonight I'm at your service." He finished his proclamation with a formal bow causing Morgana to chuckle.
"Oh Merlin…" She caressed his cheek "You're always at my service." With a laugh she closed the door to their room, leaving Merlin with flushed cheeks and an annoyed expression.
"Ha ha"
On his way to the kitchen however stood Emrys, arms crossed and stern golden eyes.
Merlin sighed, well he held out long enough…
"You've been noticeably quiet for the past couple of hours. I'd almost say you've given up."
"Hardly. I just know a losing endeavor when I see one."
"…?"
"I just find it funny."
"What?"
"Morgana says she's searching for a cure. A way to 'fix' us…yet at every opportunity she's kept us from reunifying."
"Uhh correction, she's kept us from doing what you want…which is insane."
Emrys sighed, they've done this song and dance before. He didn't really feel like rehashing it yet again.
"The thought of you two, just bringing our offspring into this world when Destiny and humanity are running rampant…it scares me."
Merlin couldn't exactly fault him for that fear…it is something to look out for when it comes to the Fates especially.
"Neither of us are saying it's going to be easy. But what you suggest, there's no hope there. For so long it felt that the world constantly kept taking and taking from us, but now...with the possibility of actually starting a family? I'm not excusing the actions of the mortals but, Morgana was also born mortal Emrys…"
"She's obviously the exception, not the rule."
"From what knowledge I have that's called hypocrisy."
"Call it what you will…it was only when you fell in love with her that I bothered to notice her at all."
"Don't lie, we're the same soul remember. Just because we're separate now doesn't mean I can't tell."
"You say that yet you're still willing to use this farse of 'medication' in an attempt to lock me in a box."
"That's not it. I just know that until you realize that complete annihilation is off the table, I need to focus on learning to be a father. I can't exactly do that when our constant arguments are damaging our mind."
Emrys closed his eyes and it appeared as though he was getting sad at the thought of being set aside. Merlin may not always like what Emrys has to say but…it's like he's letting himself down in a way.
"You've become quite composed, ever since you learned she was pregnant…"
"I have to be, even if I don't feel like it too much on the inside…fathers must make sacrifices, don't they?"
"Not if those sacrifices endanger the family even more…the more you try to pretend everything is okay."
"That's not what I'm-"
"-It's fine Merlin. Take those little pills, we both know they won't do anything but temporarily blind our perception to reality."
"Emrys...I hope that the day comes soon when we have our peace. And that our children can be the symbol of hope for a brighter future." Merlin grabbed the meds from his pocket, putting one in his mouth.
Emrys shook his head, before he slowly began to disappear…at least visually.
"When things get out of hand…don't say I didn't warn you Merlin…but you'll know where to find me when you see I was right..."
Then…silence. Merlin rubbed his head, ugh he hated taking the pills. It always felt like they did him more harm than good. Well they did, but he feels like shit. At least Emrys can cool off and hopefully they can come to an accord when he inevitably returns. It's not like he's gone, even now Merlin still feels his other half but it turns out these meds really are stronger than the last batch for he can't see or hear him.
Good enough.
Merlin wondered if Morgana would be able to tell the difference between magicking a five star meal from one of those fancy restaurants and his cooking…eh fine he'll stop being lazy.
Now to see what exactly he'll make?
Hmm…?
As Merlin finally got his ingredients together he had the television in the living room on as he heard the latest news.
"Authorities still have no clue as to the reason why Vesuvius erupted after many centuries of being inactive. The ruins of Pompeii are practically wiped off the map, one of the famous cities of Antiquity may be gone forever."
Merlin winced at that, yet another reason why he needed to do this. Emrys is too extreme in his beliefs.
"In other news, the Cosmic phenomenon of the Conjunction has the scientific community rapidly coming up with the most outlandish theories on why its upcoming occurrence has the length of essentially just a little over a day. Some of these range from the planets' gravity bouncing off each other…"
Merlin snorted as he chopped up the vegetables, these fools really crack him up.
"…To interference from the Sun, and aliens using their advanced technology in an effort to rule the solar system."
That really came out of a scientist's mouth?
Might as well say it's magic's fault…it probably is but people today are so arrogant to believe that magic is nothing more than a farse for children.
Merlin didn't realize he was gripping the counter so hard until he heard a crack.
Merlin chastised himself, fixing it up real quick while waiting for the water to boil.
"One thing they all agree on however is that no doubt this will have a great impact on the Earth's magnetic fields and cause a disturbance in our climate. Whether that disturbance will be good or bad for the environment remains to be seen."
Merlin turned the tv off, these people knew absolutely nothing.
When he returned to the bedroom, Morgana was in loose clothing with a pillow elevating her legs. The telly was on and of course she was watching yet another Friends episode.
"Tck, great I have to deal with more Chandler jokes."
Morgana shushed him but than smelled the food in his hands before finally looking at him.
"Oh wow you made beef stew? I didn't feel you go outside though."
"Because I didn't, hard to burn a kitchen when all your doing if boiling meat and plants in broth." Merlin said as he gave Morgana her plate while he laid on the other side of the bed.
"With you I can never be certain."
Merlin rolled his eyes while smirking that she seemed to like it. Guess he can work in modern kitchens after all.
"You're not eating?"
"Nah, not today. Those damn meds really make me feel weird."
Morgana nodded in sympathy, "It won't be forever I promise."
"Don't worry about it, I just want to focus on the coming months ahead." Merlin kissed her head as he went to get washed up in the restroom.
Morgana took a moment to realize just how quickly things have changed in just a few months. It's like time itself has caught up with them the second Arthur came back from the Lake.
She touched her stomach as she remembered hearing the news of the death of the Goddess. Than what Merlin told her about what the Sidhe Queen mentioned on the fading's of many other divine entities.
"Our children will be born in a world where the world is without guidance…"
Still, at least they'll have them. They'll make sure nothing, not the fates not Sigan not anyone will ever hurt them…!
Merlin returned, magicking her now empty plate down into the dishwasher before getting in bed with her.
"By the way, I was thinking that tomorrow we would see Arthur."
Morgana quirked a brow "I'm still a bit surprised that you plan to do this."
Merlin hummed as he leaned his head against her shoulder, now idly watching that annoying Chandler trying to hide from Joey on the tv.
"It's not like I really know what to expect. I figured I'd just tell him about Gwen and whatever happens after that…happens."
"That's it?"
"I mean what else will there be? I don't particularly feel the need to rekindle a friendship that looking back…was it a friendship? Correct me if I'm wrong but I was under the assumption that friendship meant being on equal footing. We weren't."
Morgana turned toward him and wrapped an arm around his chest. "Well…if you do decide to let bygones be bygones-"
"Doubtful, but go on."
"…As I was saying. If you maybe let bygones be bygones than at the very least…the positions are reversed. Now it is you who holds all the cards."
"Eh, that sounds so petty. I don't want to just be another Arthur."
"Shame…oh well I'll be petty for both of us." She smooched his cheek as Merlin just chuckled, kissing her back.
"What about Mordred?" He asked her.
"What about him?"
"I mean you did view him as a son of sorts did you not?"
Morgana wondered about that "I mean, yes. But look Merlin, I know you say that as long as they don't involve us in their little dance with Destiny, we shouldn't care…but I still don't feel comfortable around them. Even if it's Mordred."
"I get it. But I also want to try and be a better example to our children, and to do that well…perhaps it's time if I at least attempted to make some kind of peace with my past."
Morgana bit her lip; she doesn't think she has it in her to match even his cautious optimism. There was too much bad blood between her and Arthur, hell even her previous attempt to be civil burst in flames when the fool tried to kill her in her own home. She'll decide what approach to take when they cross that bridge.
"I find it funny how we just assume we're having the twins." She had to add.
"Hmm?"
"Children."
"Oh. Well, I guess we really don't know but…you rarely ever have visions that never come true. And this was the first you've had in ages. It's got to mean something." Merlin was confident that soon they'll know for sure that yes, the twins are coming.
"Hmm…perhaps we should have bought more diapers…?"
"I'm not going back to that damn store."
"Surely you wouldn't let your pregnant wife go all the way over there herself?" Does she really think her soft tone and delicate fingers can sway him?
Yes…yes it can.
"Good night." Merlin gruntingly got under the sheets and covered his head, hearing the laughter of his wife as she patted his head.
Merlin's trying real hard to shove everything into a bottle, like that meme of the house on fire "This is fine. Everything's fine"
Next chapter should be interesting, last we left the B Team well Arthur's job is awful and Mordred's searching for the Crystal Cave
Hmm I wonder if they'll tell Arthur he'll be an Uncle...?
