A week had passed since the rescue and Arthur was once again on his way to visit Merlin. He just couldn't stop himself.
He was addicted to the brunet.
He was the only thing he could think about, all the time. About his lips, which he wanted to kiss more than anything else; about his sunny smiles that made Arthur feel things he never thought he could feel; and above all about his blue eyes. Arthur was sure he would die if he couldn't look at these eyes anymore…. Because every time he did look, it was like coming back to life, everything fixed perfectly and he was happy to be in this world.
He had even started to spend a lot of time with the children, finding them an endless source of joy, especially Colin.
The child was so like Merlin that Arthur's heart lightened with love every time he saw his baby blue eyes and he found himself wishing that child was his flesh and blood more and more.
The only bad aspect about his visits to the hospital was that he still hadn't been able to give the family the happy news that Cenred had been found and locked away forever. Unfortunately the bastard was still out there and Arthur swore to protect Merlin with his life if necessary. No more harm would come to him now that Arthur was by his side.
This conviction made his fastened his steps and in matter of seconds he was entering Merlin's room. The man in question was sitting by the window, looking pensive at the outside world, as if he was seeing something – or someone – more than the hospital gardens.
The sun was enlightening all his facial features, surrounding him in a golden light. He was breathtaking.
Arthur must have breathed some sort of awe sound, because the brunet suddenly turned to face him, and for less than a second Arthur was sure he saw resignation and sadness in his eyes, but when he must have realized it was Arthur the other person in the room he beamed and his eyes shone with happiness.
"Arthur!"
He jumped from the chair and run to hug the blond man, who immediately returned the gesture with enthusiasm, but at the same time trying hard to be discrete when his instincts made him lean in and smell Merlin's wonderful scent.
"Someone is happy to see me, I see" Arthur joked and reluctantly broke the hug and stepped back a little.
Merlin smiled even more, "Of course I am, you dollophead. I have to admit that your company isn't that bad after all"
Arthur snorted and mockery bowed, "I deeply thank you for your very nice words, oh wise Merlin. But tell me, your wiseness, what the hell is a dollophead?"
"In two words?"
Arthur already knew he would regret it, seeing Merlin's eyes bright with a mischievous glint, but he couldn't help but agreeing. "Yes"
"Arthur Pendragon"
After like a few seconds of shocked silence, Arthur threw his head back and laughed wholehearted.
Oh yes…he loved Merlin, even more since he found out that the brunet had spark and spirit. He was sassy and took shit from no one. He was everything Arthur had ever wanted in a partner.
Merlin joined him and their laughs must have awoken the children in the other room, because soon after, the connecting door opened and Colin and Freya rushed into the room, screaming happily 'Arthur', and running to hug him.
Arthur lifted them in his arms and greet them warmly, loving them as if they were his own. In the meantime, Merlin went to collect the now crying newborns from the cradle.
"What we do today, Arthur? What we do?" Asked an eager Colin.
Arthur pretended to think about it, "Well, I was thinking that maybe we could go outside for a picnic. I brought you lots of food and, look at this, a foot-ball!"
The children cried with delight at the plan, especially at the prospect of using the ball. It would be the first time for them. They knew what it was, because they saw it many times on the TV but they had never played with it. Cenred had always forbidden it.
Arthur saw Merlin's soft smile direct at him and felt immensely proud of his idea…he even blushed, but he would never admit it, of course. Pendragons don't blush or show any kind of emotions!
00000
Soon the children were ready. Merlin was given a twin pushchair for the newborns and it took him no time to put them in it. Arthur took the picnic basket and soon the family – cough - group was on its way to the garden, with Colin and Freya ahead of everyone obviously.
It was sunny outside and a light wind carried flower petals and the scent of nature all around them. It was a very good day.
While the older children lost no time and were already running and playing with the ball, the adults sat on the blanket on the grass, side by side. They were laughing at Alex and Daegal between them, who were trying to roll, but only ended up hitting each other with their small feet.
They were surrounded by a comfortable silence. Arthur never felt more at peace like in that moment.
After a while, he heard Merlin sighed and turned toward the brunet. He was looking at the children, who now were rolling in the mud, with a sad expression. Arthur was immediately worried.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
"It-it just that I have always wanted this kind of childhood for them…I-I have always wanted them to run free outside, under the sun, with the wind in their hair..." He chuckled ironically, "…I have even hoped for them to come back home covered in mud….that's what children should do….I feel like the worst father in the world since they couldn't have a normal life" He started to sobbed and Arthur didn't know what to do.
"Hey hey, Merlin ….look at me, please" He lifted the brunet's chin and looked at him straight in the eyes. "You have been an amazing father, do you understand me? Those children should be traumatized and have learning problems. But they don't. According to the doctor, and for what I can see for myself, they are perfectly healthy children, mentally and physically. And I seriously doubt it was thanks to Cenred. I saw the books and the homework in the apartment, Merlin … you did great"
Arthur put his bigger hand on Merlin's and the brunet immediately took it to his cheek and leaned on it, searching comfort.
"Since Cenred, of course, would never allow them to go to school, despite my begging, I did what I could to give them some sort of education…"
"And it worked, Merlin …they are fine. They could go to school tomorrow and be exactly like all the other children…. Damn it, Merlin, you were barely a child yourself!"
Merlin dried his own tears and smiled sweetly at the blond.
"Besides. If you don't believe me, look at them right now…they are so happy…like they should be. It will be hell to convince them to go back inside"
Merlin looked at him, "they are so happy now thanks to you, Arthur…you have been so good us…"
Arthur blushed and lowered his head, trying to hide it, "Well, ehm, you see…it was my duty"
Merlin leaned toward him, "Just your duty?"
Arthur's ears pecked up and he turned toward the other boy, looking at him hopefully.
Without even realizing it, they began to lean forward and forward. They lips were about to touch. They were so close. Arthur's heart was about to explode in his chest. But when he could even feel Merlin's warmth, the brunet turned his head sideway at the last second and Arthur found himself kissing the soft skin of his cheek.
"Sorry" Merlin whispered.
"Don't worry….too soon?" He asked, caressing Merlin's cheek and breathed a breath of relief when he leaned in, almost purring at the gesture.
"Yes, just a bit…I want to, but I need time"
"I understand…I like you, Merlin …I can wait for you for all the time you need. When you are ready, you know where to find me: by your side" Then the blond turned toward the children, not noticing the gaze full of hate the brunet directed toward the hospital gates when he was sure Arthur wasn't looking. "Colin, Freya, come and have something to eat!"
The children stopped playing and joined the adults on the blanket, very eager to please their new idol Arthur.
"Here you go, sweethearts…" Arthur said, handing them two identical sandwiches, "Jam and peanut butter sandwich"
Before the children could even bit it, Merlin screamed, "NOOOO!" and slapped the sandwiched from their hands, making them fall on the ground.
The children started crying at once, and Arthur asked, confused and a bit irritated, "Merlin! Why did you do that?"
The brunet was panting, "Sorry, Arthur…I forgot to tell you, but my children have a deadly allergy to nuts… all my children!" He was looking straight into Arthur's eyes when he said the last part, as to make a point that, unfortunately, Arthur couldn't get.
After a few soft words, the children stopped crying and returned to play….no one could stay angry at Merlin for more than five seconds apparently.
Then the family returned inside, and Arthur would always deny the butterflies in his stomach when Merlin took his hand in his own on the way back.
00000
The following night, Arthur was in his office, finishing some paper work, when his phone rang. He frowned. Who could call him this late?
"Hello" He answered.
"Arthur?"
The blond straightened up. It was Merlin.
"Merlin? Is something wrong? Are you all right?"
"I just wanted to tell you that meeting you was one of the best things that ever happened to me…you are a dream come true…please, please take care of my children…they must never stop smiling…tell them to be strong and that I love them, with all my heart…"
At that point Arthur was standing, holding the phone in a firm grip, "Merlin? What the hell are you saying?"
"I like you too, Arthur…please, forgive me..." He gasped, "He is coming!" Then the connection was brutally interrupted.
Without even realizing it, Arthur was running, as if the devil himself was chasing him. He jumped in his car and drove as fast as he could. All the while, he tried to call the cops he had left guarding the hospital. But no one was answering. He was shaking with worry.
When he finally, finally reached the hospital he rushed inside, not even remembering if he had closed the car…he didn't care. He ran like the wind to the children's room. He knew that Cenred would have come back for them. They were what he wanted…his children. And probably, Merlin heard him trying to kidnap them and decided to stop him.
Arthur was only hoping not to find his dead body in the room, especially when he found the dead ones of his men, in the corridor.
Taking a deep breath, he entered the room, and was surprised when he found the children still sleeping in their beds, safe and sound.
"What the hell?" Then a realization, "Oh no!"
He ran to Merlin's room and his greatest fear came to life…
Merlin was gone.
Arthur fell on his knees…he had been wrong. Cenred hadn't come back for the children….he came back for Merlin!
00000
Less than an hour later, Arthur was watching the CCTV video of the corridor attacked by Cenred.
To his and everyone surprise, they didn't see a struggling Merlin being taken away by Cenred. They saw Cenred entering Merlin's room and embracing him, a gesture that was returned by the brunet. Then they saw the two kissing and leaving the hospital side by side, with Cenred's arm comfortably on Merlin's shoulders, the brunet looking more than fine with that. He was even looking straight at the camera, smirking.
"I don't understand" Said Gwaine, "Why is he going with that bastard willingly?"
Arthur didn't know what to think anymore….he only knew his heart had just broken, completely.
For these that are reading my other stories as well, i would like to tell you not to worry...I am going to finish them all!
So sorry for making you wait so long!