When the two returned to the apartment, Merlin gave him some dry sweats and a t-shirt to change into, and Arthur spent the next several hours roaming the rooms, his curiosity endless, with Merlin trailing him, explaining as best he could.
Eventually, Arthur made his way into the kitchen. "What's this?" he asked, upon encountering the microwave.
"It's for heating and cooking food quickly," Merlin explained, demonstrating how it opened.
"Why on Earth would you need that, isn't that what servants are for?" Arthur asked, then, "On the other hand, why don't you just magic it?"
"Well, for one thing, having servants is mostly frowned upon these days. And that's not what my magic is for, just to make life easy. The purpose of my magic is to help you, Arthur."
Arthur turned to him, forgetting the appliance on the counter. "You really mean that, don't you? After all these hundreds of years, you still only want to serve me."
Merlin looked down. "Well, someone's got to, haven't they? You couldn't look after yourself for 10 minutes!"
Suddenly, Arthur's gaze became distant. "Everyone else is gone, aren't they?" he realized. "Gwen, Gaius, Percival, Gwain, Leon, they've all been dead for centuries." Arthur made his way into the living room and sat down heavily on a wooden chair, his head in one hand.
Merlin approached him. "Gwain died a hero in battle, and all the rest of them lived long, full lives. Camelot was all the better for having them. And look on the bright side, Arthur; at least you've got me!" He gave cheeky grin.
Arthur looked up at him. "I really am in trouble then, aren't I?" he asked, clapping his friend on the shoulder.
"Come here, I want to show you something," Merlin told him, leading his king over to the sofa and clearing away the clutter from around the television. He picked up the remote control and turned the set on. The screen flashed to life, showing a classic western movie. Arthur sat transfixed, his worries momentarily forgotten.
"Is that you're magic at work, Merlin? I can see tiny people moving in that glass."
Merlin chuckled. "No, Arthur, it's called television. Those are recorded images of people being projected on that screen. They've known how to do that for decades, now."
Arthur looked at him skeptically, but sat back and refocused his attention on the screen.
It was near the end of the movie, and the hero was in a face-off with the villain. The hero leaned out from behind the sheltering corner of the house, drew his gun, and shot the bad guy dead.
Arthur jumped. "What was that?" he demanded.
"That's a gun. It's a weapon that can kill people from hundreds of meters away, and one of those few inventions of the age which makes me ashamed to be human."
Arthur looked appalled. "That's the most cowardly, low-down thing I've ever seen. At least with magic the power comes from your own strength, not something you bought."
"Here," Merlin said, leaning over to show him the remote. "With these buttons, you can change the channel. Every channel has something different showing on it, so you can find something you want to see." Merlin handed the remote over to him, watching as Arthur flipped through, finally stopping on a crime drama that was on a scene set in a forensics lab, full of stainless steel and fluorescent lighting. Arthur was fascinated, and settled in to watch. Merlin, next to him, was focused on Arthur much more than on the television, and reveled in his friend's mere presence, feeling more content than he had since Arthur had disappeared into the lake.
Presently, the episode ended, and a movie came on the same channel. It was the story of a college student coming to terms with his sexuality. The first few scenes showed him coming out to his friends. To Arthur's surprise, their reaction was one of complete support, and they weren't scandalized in the slightest. 'So not all the changes can be plugged in' Arthur thought to himself. He looked at Merlin, his face full of astonishment, and received only a grin in return. Arthur turned back to the screen.
An hour later, the main character was finally mustering the willpower to talk to the man who he had admired for the length of the film. He cornered him in a deserted wing of the library and confessed his feelings. He was well received, and the scene ended with a passionate kiss. Just as their lips met, Arthur felt Merlin's head come to rest on his shoulder, and he looked over to see his friend and devoted servant fast asleep against him, worn out by the excitement of the day, and he had an easy smile on his face.
Arthur looked back to the screen, and saw Merlin's very same expression mirrored on each of their faces. That was all it took for realization to hit Arthur like a dunk in cold water, but infinitely more pleasant. He shut off the television and simply sat in thought, gazing at Merlin beside him. He knew the depth of the devotion between them, but it had simply never occurred to him that there might be something more than friendship between the two of them.
But now that he considered it, Whenever Merlin was in the room, he felt happy, relaxed. It was the same way he had felt with Gwen, and she was another reason that a closer relationship with Merlin had never crossed his mind. But now, there was nothing to stop them if they did want one. He thought about the way Merlin had protected him at all costs with his magic, asking for no credit, and supporting him even when he was indeed being a complete dollop-head. He thought about how Merlin had greeted him earlier that same evening when Arthur had returned: with tears and an embrace. And the mere fact that Merlin had still been waiting for him after more than two thousand years, when he could have left, had a life, moved anywhere on the globe and done anything imaginable. And finally, Arthur let himself realize how good it had been to see Merlin, and how the weight of the world dissipated when he caught sight of him after finding himself shivering and dripping wet and confused.
While Arthur thought, Merlin had been sleeping peacefully against his shoulder. Now, Arthur pressed his lips against the warlock's forehead, feeling how as he did so, a feeling of warmth, gratitude and affection overwhelmed him. He backed away, and then hesitantly leaned down to press his lips against Merlin's, hoping not to wake him. The movement felt absolutely right, and any reservations Arthur had harbored dissolved. Even in this new and foreign era, he now felt just as at home as he had in Camelot. Straightening up, he sighed contentedly, rested his own head against Merlin, and joined his still unconscious love in slumber.
Thanks for reading! This is the last chapter, hope you enjoyed!
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