Gaius was just beginning to drift off to sleep when there was a loud bang, the sound of a door being thrown open. Still shaken after his close brush with death, Gaius bolted up, fearing the worst. He could make out the silhouette of someone standing in the middle of the room. Gaius hurriedly lit a candle, only to reveal Merlin.
"Merlin, what is the matter?"
"Gaius?" As Merlin turned to face him, the physician noted his rapid breathing and tear streaked face.
"My boy, what happened?" Gaius demanded, guiding Merlin over to the bed where they both sat down.
"You were burning, Gaius, and I couldn't stop it; I tried but-" Merlin dissolved into tears again.
"Oh, Merlin, it was just a bad dream," Gaius pulled his ward into his arms and Merlin buried his face in Gaius's shoulder, sobs wracking his body. Gaius continued trying to comfort the boy.
"You saved me, Merlin; we're safe now. Everything is alright." He gently rocked Merlin back forth in his attempts to soothe his surrogate son.
XXX
Finally, Merlin's weeping abated and he sat up, though he still clutched Gaius's robes.
"You need to get some rest," Gaius softly chided, wiping away the remaining tears from Merlin's cheeks.
Merlin nodded, but his grip on Gaius tightened. "Can I stay with you?"
Gaius smiled. "Of course, help me move the patient bed."
Merlin and Gaius pushed the bed usually reserved for patients over so that if Merlin awoke from another nightmare he would be able to see that Gaius was alive and well. Also, if Merlin needed help at any point it would be easy for Gaius to notice and assist him.
Merlin clambered into bed, pulling the blankets around him. His heavy eyelids began to close almost immediately.
"Sleep well, my boy." Gaius murmured, brushing Merlin's hair back from his forehead. He stayed up for the rest of the night, watching over his boy. Everything would be alright.
I started this story after I got a nice response to my first Merlin story, My Son. I honestly don't think these are as good, but oh well. Any feedback you guys have is appreciated. I have two other Merlin fic ideas; they both are kinda AUish, just deviating from the episode to whump Merlin some more. One from The Lady of the Lake where Halig does beat Merlin and one from The Witch's Quickening where Merlin is punished for the keys being stolen from Arthur's room. They would definitely have some bromance; I know Arthur has been rather conspicuously absent from my stories so far. If anyone has suggestions for these stories, a preference for in what order I write them, or any other story ideas, let me know; I'd love to hear them!