The One
Part 3
Merlin supported Arthur as they weaved their way through the ballroom. Gazes landed on them, watching the way Arthur's arm wrapped around him, his other arm around Arthur's waist. His family watched them, some worried, others casting knowing gazes between the Pendragon men. It was no secret among those who have watched Uther raise his son; the obvious bruises that peppered the young Arthur's arms and sometimes even his face.
The way he would flinch when Uther so much as spoke above a whisper; to some it was heartbreaking. To others- well, they really couldn't care less. But it truly didn't matter if they did or not, for none of them ever did anything. Arthur liked to think that some of them truly considered helping, that some of them maybe even went so far as to picking up the phone.
He's sure none of them do though, all of them, no matter how nice they seemed were far too self absorbed and preoccupied with increasing their wealth to help him. Arthur grew up alone, bitterness, anger and hate festering in his dark heart. He believed the world to be a terrible place built on lies and scams.
A child learns from it's parents after all.
Arthur used to lay awake at night as he sat up in his bedroom, the stars shining in the dark sky. He remembered wishing on a star once, he even began to sing the song from Pinocchio quietly under his breath for hours, until his eyes grew heavy and he heard his nanny leave as Uther came home.
He wanted to be a real boy; with a father and mother who loved him and a family who protected him.
He never got his wish.
When he was thirteen years old, Uther brought Morgana into their lives and everything changed. She was sarcastic, annoying, condescending, and overbearing; but most importantly, she was his. He began to wonder if the blue fairy truly did hear his wish that night.
Morgana and Arthur grew close over the years, they sought each other out in the gigantic house when they wanted to play, when the other was sad, or simply when they were lonely. Morgana was the only one who stood up to Uther when he was in a rage and began to hurt Arthur.
She had yelled and screamed at the already enraged Uther; calling him a bully and swearing at him with a few choice words that would make the devil flinch. He had stood still, silent and rigid; his hand clenching tightly around Arthur's shirt as he pushed him roughly away and slapping Morgana.
It's deafening as palm met skin in the silence, only Uther's footsteps echoed as he walked away, his blackberry ringing in his office. Morgana and Arthur had slowly made their way to Arthur's rooms, supporting each other not unlike the way Merlin was supporting him now.
They held each other and cried throughout the night, the sadness and hopelessness of their situation sinking deep into their skin and their hearts.
Uther's eyes are elsewhere as Arthur moves slowly to the double doors that led out into the hall. He can feel his trembling, the effort of keeping himself in check seemed to be wearing as he watches Arthur wince after each step.
No one deserved this.
Arthur was so broken- so shattered, so inside and out. Merlin had known it the minute he saw the way he looked at his father; the fear in his eyes, the anger, the pain. But he hadn't expected this- god, never this.
He began to breathe again as they exited the room, no longer were the glares and gazes burning him, the whispers no longer hurt his ears; instead Merlin's soft gentle smiles filled his mind, his whispers in Arthur's ears.
"We're almost there, Arthur. We're almost home."
Arthur doesn't ask where home is, he doesn't know. All he knows is that he wants to remain curled into Merlin's side forever. As far as he was concerned; Merlin was home.
—-
Merlin struggles with the key as he pushes open the door to his apartment, stumbling as he trips over one of the many black converses strewn all over the place. He helps Arthur over to the couch where he set him down carefully, mumbling to himself as he walks over to the kitchen.
Arthur looks around, it was cluttered, messy, disorganized, warm, comfortable… He felt like he's finally come home. Arthur shifts himself on the couch, wincing as he buried his face into the soft dark green material. Though he would deny it, Arthur inhaled long and deep; he wondered if he would smell Merlin on it.
He wonders what Merlin smells like.
It did. Everything did, and Arthur's eye lids were drooping as he leaned deeper into the couch, it was so warm and Merlin's smell was comforting and safe. So, so, safe. "Arthur?" He heard his friend whisper, footsteps getting closer. He hummed contently as he felt Merlin sit at the edge of the sofa next to him.
"Arthur? Are you awake?"
He lazily opens one of his eyes, seeing Merlin sitting there, his eyes such a dark blue his hair messy now from numerous attacks by his graceful fingers. He doesn't even realize it, but before he knew it he was dragging Merlin's thin body to him; Arthur's body curved around his friend's.
Arthur buried his face in Merlin's neck, inhaling so deeply he felt his mind numb. He ignores his spluttering as his arms circle Merlin, he wanted to lie like this forever. "Ar-" He shushes Merlin, his arms tightening, his lips kissing the nape of his neck gently.
"Sleep now, love."
Merlin relaxes into his arms, and as Arthur falls asleep he only has one coherent thought.
Merlin smells like sugar cookies.
Arthur loved sugar cookies.
