Part 2: The Breaking of Merlin

WARNING: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND MENTIONS OF PAST HOMOPHOBIA

Somewhere in the tiny apartment, Merlin's phone was ringing, the sound somewhat muffled from being covered.

"Cedric, have you seen my phone?" Merlin called from the living room, looking around uselessly. He could hear it, but he was damned if he could see it.

"Check under the sofa cushions" Cedric called back from the bedroom, where he was getting dressed. Of course! There it was, hidden away under the blue cushion. Where else could it have been?"

"Hello?" He answered, a little breathlessly.

"What took you so long?" Morgana demanded from the other end.

"I lost my phone, standard procedure, really."

"Okay, well, what are you doing Saturday night?"

Merlin sighed, "Hold on" He muttered, before covering the speaker on the phone. "Cedric" He shouted in the direction of the bedroom. "Plans, Saturday night, do we have any?"

A pause, then "No"

"No, we're good" He told Morgana, "Why, what's going on?"

"Friday night dinner's cancelled, we're having a coming out party for Arthur at the Rising Sun"

Merlin huffed. Cedric came out the bedroom, wearing his typical work suit. He gave Merlin a questioning look. Merlin just rolled his eyes.

"I thought Arthur had already come out? At least, that's what I gathered from the way he was trying to suck Cenreds face off on New Year's"

In the background, Cedric was snickering to himself. Merlin threw him a 'shut up I'm trying to act supportive' look over his shoulder.

"Well, yes" Morgana agreed slowly. "But he's coming out to Uther, and it's not going to go down well"

"Okay" Merlin huffed. So the prince was finally doing something for himself for a change. "Well, good for him, but he doesn't like me, why do I have to come?"

"Because, you're gay and out, and I thought it might be nice if you were there as support if he needed someone to talk to"

"He's never spoken to me, well, barely. The odd word here and there, but anyway, that's not the point, he doesn't like me"

"Well you're invited. And I'd love it if you and Cedric came, and we're going to get Gwaine so pissed he'll end up buying all the rounds"

Merlin huffed out a laugh. "Okay, fine. We'll be there. Text me the details"

"Fabulous!" She sung, and the phone clicked off. Merlin sighed. And chucked his phone back onto the sofa.

"That's how your phone gets lost" Cedric said from behind him, kissing his cheek lightly. "What's going on Saturday?"

"Prince Arthurs having a coming out Party"

Cedric raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk on his lips. "I never had a coming out party, I had a plate threw at my head. Besides, I thought he was already out"

"Not to his father, apparently. I got a smack round the head and told that 'shagging men doesn't permit me to drop out of Uni'" He did his best impression of his Mothers disappointed angry voice, not very well though. Cedric just snorted

"What does a coming out party involve, exactly?" Cedric straightened up his tie, "Firemen jumping out a cake? Strippers?"

"Dunno, getting Gwaine pissed and convincing him to buy the drinks apparently"

"Sounds good, I'm going to be late for work, what are you going today?" Merlin shrugged. This was the problem with school holidays, he was bored. He'd done all the marking for his class, done his planning for next term, his time was his own.

"Might go shopping for a bit, we need food, and we're not going to Morganas Friday night"

"Takeaway it is then, see you later" Cedric was gone then, and Merlin sighed with relief. He sank down onto the sofa. He did need to go shopping, but that meant going outside. He looked down at the finger shaped bruises on his wrists, dark and purple against his pale skin. It was July, too warm outside to be wearing long sleeves out, but the bruises were too noticeable not to wear them.

That was another problem with the holidays; more bruises were much more noticeable.

Wednesday night ended with Cedric asleep by 10pm, and Merlin sitting on the sofa, ice pack on his cheek, hoping this bruise would go down before Saturday.

At 11, the ice had melted and the bruise didn't feel as bad. Looking in the bathroom mirror, he'd had worse, defiantly had worse. This was nothing, he'd caught him on the side of the cheek, by his hairline. By Saturday, hopefully no one would notice.

He crawled into bed, and Cedric rolled over to curl around him. He kissed the back of Merlins neck in his half asleep state. They never spoke about the beatings after they happened, never acknowledged the bruises. They just carried on like nothing happened.

Saturday afternoon, they sat on the old blue sofa watching an old torchwood episode, when Merlins phone buzzed in his pocket, text from Morgana.

7PM, rising sun, coming out did not go well.

Merlin rolled his eyes, "Rising Sun at 7 tonight" He told Cedric. "Apparently going out did not go well"

Cedric chuckled to himself. "They really tiptoe around him, don't they"

"It's not like he's a bloody prince, Morgana says she's being supportive, I think they need to let him get on with it"

At 6, Merlin stood up with a stretch. "I'm going to get ready" He announced, padding into the bedroom.

At 6:45, Cedric still wasn't ready. "Come on" Merlin huffed, searching the kitchen for his wallet. It was probably in the fridge again, or the kettle. He hoped it wasn't in the kettle again.

"What's the rush, the bar's 5 minutes from here."

"Yes but it'll take you 10 minutes to get ready so just" He gestured towards the bedroom. He noticed the four empty beer cans on the side. "Fuck" He muttered to himself. "How much have you been drinking?"

Cedric got up and swaggered over to him, his face just inches away. "What's it to you?"

"You need to get ready"

Cedric pushed him down, giving him a swift kick to the ribs. "Get up" He spat, slamming the bedroom door behind him. Merlin winced as he tried to stand up. That was going to bruise, big time. He pulled himself up, and lent against the cupboard, lifting his shirt up. The new bruise simply faded into the rest of the bruises.

They arrived at The Rising Sun at just gone 7, which wasn't bad going considering it hurt to move.

Arthur was stupidly drunk and stroking Leon's beard, marveling over how ginger it was. Merlin rolled his eyes. Gwaine was buying shots by the gallons, which would explain the staggering and flirting. Morgana was watching Arthur with concern, and Gwen was looking at the yellow green bruise on his cheek with concern.

"Hit it on the doorframe the bloody klutz" Cedric had told her affectingly, Merlin just shrugged.

Cedric sat talking to Percy, a tall, broad friend of Arthur's who had to be on steroids. Merlin was talking to Gwen and Lance about their upcoming wedding. Arthur was drinking a shot of cherry sourz, looking at the empty glass affectionately, and announcing he was going to drink of a bottle of it.

"You can't drink a bottle of it" Merlin scoffed, and Gwen giggled at his side.

Arthur looked at him through widened eyes. "Did I say that out loud?" He giggled and covered his mouth, then sung - very badly "I'm thinking ooouuutttttt loud" He hiccupped, "Do I do that when 'm drunk?"

"Yes, you did, and you do"

Arthur narrowed his eyes at him. "You're miserable" He turned to Cedric. "How do you put up with him.

Cedric just smirked. "Oh don't worry, I have my ways"

Merlin felt sick.

For July, it was freakishly cold, or maybe it was just Merlin.

"well, you are skinny" Cedric said when Merlin shivered again, "I don't know how, you eat more than anyone I know"

Merlin shrugged. "Dunno, good metabolism"

"Maybe" Cedric looked at his watch. "What time are we going to Morgana's?"

"About 7:30, you ordering a taxi?"

For all of Morgana's faults, and there were a fair few of them, she was a bloody good cook. Who thought of making Beef Manhattan on a Friday night was a genius. Everyone was in high spirits, chatting easily, but he had a feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach. Cedric had been surprisingly nice over the past few days, and he could only explain it as the calm before the storm.

But he was going to enjoy the peace while it lasted.

After dinner, they all sat around drinking wine and beer, Arthur looked miserable, before finally going out to the balcony.

"Morgana" He half whispered.

"Yes?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Mind if I smoke on the balcony?" She looked half apologetic, and Morgana just smiled and nodded.

He paused. "What's up with Arthur? He looked miserable"

"I think he's been getting some grief at work, it's bringing him down a bit" She sighed, looking towards the balcony. "Maybe I should go talk to him?"

"No, I'll go, maybe it'll help coming from someone who's, you know, gay"

"Maybe" She smiled, "Thanks"

He strolled out to the balcony. "Hey" He said, announcing his presence. "It's bloody cold out here" Merlin wrapped his arms around himself, trying to keep some warmth "What you doing out here on your own?"

Arthur stared at him for a minute. "Just, you know, wanted some space, a bit of air, it's been one hell of a week" He sighed, shaking his head, Merlin raised an eyebrow. "What you doing out here?"

Merlin held up a cigarette packet sheepishly. "Morgana said I could smoke out here, that alright?"

"Sure" Arthur shrugged, watching as Merlin lit the cigarette. "Want one?" Merlin asked when he caught Arthur watching. He shook his head, and Merlin smiled, as much as he could around the bloody cold.

"Does Cedric know you smoke?"

Merlin tried to make himself look bored, he didn't think it worked. "Yeah" He said sharply, trying not to think about the arguments him smoking had brought on.

"And he's alright with it?"

"Cedric doesn't like me doing a lot of things, most things, actually. Smoking is on that long, long list" Merlin drawled, staring out over the black horizon.

"I find that hard to believe, he always seems so damn happy, I'd have thought it would be the other way around"

Merlin took a long drag. "Yeah, well. You thought wrong"

They were silent for a while then, as Merlin thought how wrong a person could be about Cedric. He was a rat, a snake. But Merlin couldn't get away, he'd tried. He shook his head, taking another long drag. He looked at Arthur again, he was staring off into the distance, that desperately depressing look on his face again, and it kind of hurt Merlin to look at. He could remember uni, after he came out, the arguments with his mum, Will trying his best to help him, the taunts and the homophobic twats writing FAG on his door…

"Look" Merlin Finally said. "I know what you're going through is hard, I just wanted to let you know that if you wanted to talk to someone that isn't your sister, I know we're not exactly mates or anything, and I'm not suggesting we become BFFs, but if you wanted to talk to someone who isn't straight, I'm here."

"Are you suggesting I don't have any gay friends?" Arthur scoffed.

Merlin raised an eyebrow. "Do you?"

"That is none of your business!"

"I was just trying to - " Merlin started, he didn't mean to offend Arthur, this time anyway.

"I don't need your help Merlin" With that, Arthur stamped back into the house.

Well…fuck Merlin thought as he finished of his Cigarette. That didn't go as expected. He went back into the house, sitting between Cedric and Lance. Lance was telling a story about his recent adventure in Egypt. Back when Merlin and Lance was in uni, Merlin doing his teaching, and Lance training to become a doctor, They would go abroad and do charity work when they had a break. They'd had some mad adventures, Merlin wished he could go back to them times. It was much more simple.

Cedric was watching him closely, the calm before the storm.

They'd barely got into Merlin's apartment before the first punch came to him stomach. It floored Merlin, bringing tears to his eyes.

Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry

"What was you doing outside with Arthur?" Cedric was eerily calm for someone who just took a swing.

"Nothing, I was smoking, he was just there"

"Liar" He kicked him square in the chest. "He wouldn't stop looking at you all night" Cedric grabbed his wrist, pulled him up sharply. His grip tightened as he dragged him into the bedroom, slamming his head on the wall. "Fucking slut" He hissed, pulled his head back. "Bet you want to fuck him"

"No, Cedric stop - "

"Shut up" He slammed his head against the wall again. "Listen to me, you talk to him again, I'll fucking kill you" He let him drop to the floor, and Merlin held his breath until he heard the front door slam.

He calmed himself down before taking note of his injuries. Bruised chest, winded, massive bump on his head and an almighty bruise on his wrist, but other than that, he was fine, he'd be fine.

He got an ice back out the freezer and put it on his head. No one would see the bruises, Cedric wasn't stupid, quite the opposite, really. He never left a bruise in plain sight, unless he was really angry.

He'd get rid of him; he'd pack his stuff up and change the locks, soon.

Soon.

They were both wound up that week, barely talking to each other and avoiding each other at all costs. The bruises were barely fading now before new ones were coming. It was over stupid stuff. If Cedric had a bad day at work, or Merlin went out for too long.

Sitting on the bathroom floor cleaning up a cut in his hairline, he vowed, this week would be the week he getting rid of him, leaving him, forcing him out, whatever, he was doing it, Friday.

But Friday came, Cedric went to work and Merlin didn't have the guts, he couldn't do it. Cedric came home from work, and silently got dressed to go to Morgana's.

They were celebrating, apparently. Something to do with Arthur and his Father talking again. But Merlin didn't pay that much attention, the thought of Friday had been tearing knots in his stomach all week.

So, now they sat silently next to each other, eating Chicken Carbonara and talking to their friends separately.

Tonight, when they got home, he'd do it. He couldn't bear it anymore.

He looked across the table at Morgana, who was glaring daggers at Cedric.

Merlin stood his ground, as soon as they got home; he balled up his fists and gritted his teeth.

"I want you gone" His voice was strong, stronger than he felt.

"What?"

Merlin took a deep breath. "This, us. It isn't working. I can't do it anymore, I want you gone"

He wasn't surprised when Cedrics fist connected with his face. And again, and again. Blood poured into his eyes, ran down his chin. Maybe this would be the end him.

"You wouldn't last five minutes without me sweetheart" Cedric spat, kicking him in the ribs.

"I'm willing to take my chances"

The kicks came again, as did the punches. He saw his phone; it must have slipped out his pocket. He reached out for it, when Cedrics foot came down hard on his hand. Merlin cried out, and Cedric got down to his level. He slammed his head down on the floor, and Merlin saw stars. He closed his eyes, willing darkness to overcome him, but it never did. Instead, he was graced with the front door slamming,

Gone, he was gone.

But for how long?

He crawled to the bathroom and looked at this reflection, shit. His eyebrow had a nasty gash on it, pouring with blood, his lip was split, bruises were blooming across his face, he looked a mess. He needed to call someone; he needed someone to help him. His hand was possibly broke, and maybe a couple of ribs. With his good hand, he tried to clean himself up as much as possible, his lip had stopped bleeding, but his eyebrow wouldn't give in. He'd call Lance, he was a doctor, he had connections, he could get Cedric the hell away from him.

It took him a minute to figure out that his door was buzzing.

It wouldn't be Cedric; he knew the code to get in. Shakily, he pressed the intercom.

"Hello?"