A/N: This is the next 3 months of Arthur's life in fast forward. I had fun writing this chapter but it feels all messy to me. I hope you guys like it. Do let me know.

Oh and also MERRY CHRISTMAS, and to those who don't celebrate... HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

Next week saw Arthur settle into a routine. It was vastly different than anything he had before, or anything he ever expected to have, yet it was everything he could ever have wanted. Leaving for office on Monday was the hardest, especially because it involved leaving Merlin alone in the house. The warlock had given him the most heart meltingly pleading look, asking him to take him along, but Arthur was adamant. He had learnt his lesson the first time. If he took Merlin with him he would get zero work done the entire day.

That was not to say that his work didn't suffer as his mind lingered on Merlin during the day. He kept going between the absolute certainty that his apartment would be completely demolished when he got back home, and the nagging doubt that maybe Merlin was not real, and he had imagined it all. It was the first time he had been away from Merlin from any significant period of time since acquiring him, and that was the reason Freya found him, briefcase packed, all pending files sorted, and ready to leave at 5:00pm- just like everyone else at the place. His secretary gaped at him uncomprehendingly, until he told her she can go home. Her inquiring about his health made him realize that he had been an awful boss, keeping Freya in the office with him till midnight some days just because he was workaholic and had no life. He vowed to give her a raise next month.

He walked home that day, a practice that became his norm in the coming days, because he had forgotten he enjoyed the hustle and bustle of life around him. Walking by the place where Witch's Den used to be made him pause and smile, and then quicken his steps. He missed Merlin.

Morgana was already there when he reached home. Apparently she had kept the key, and refused to return it to him even when he asked. Technically he could change the password, but he kind of liked the fact that Morgana wanted to come over often, even if he won't admit it out loud, ever. When he questioned her how she got here earlier than him, even though he left office earlier than he had ever before in his life, she just laughed and said "I am magic, remember?" It was a horrible explanation but Merlin and Morgana both seemed very pleased by it, so Arthur just rolled his eyes and freshened up.

Rest of the week passed like that, Morgana being there when he reached home more often than not, and hoarding Merlin. At first Arthur felt jealous and resentful because it seemed like Merlin and Morgana were forming a quickly deepening attachment with every passing day. He understood why it was. Merlin had magic, and so did Morgana; they shared a bond Arthur could not hope to imagine. But then Morgana would leave- sometimes before the sun set, sometimes late after having dinner - and Merlin would stand beside him, or collapse by his side if he was sitting, and bump shoulders, grinning from ear to ear. He would ask about Arthur's day, and tell him about everything he had done himself, always whining about how absolutely boring it was when Arthur wasn't there for him to bug. Merlin seemed perfectly pleased in Arthur's company - even more than in Morgana's but it might just be his imagination- and it went a long way in making him not resent his sister for Merlin's attention and time. He wasn't a complete asshole.

Merlin had also taken to reading the entirety of Arthur's bookshelf, reading his economics and business books as well, and very soon, Arthur anticipated, that he would be able to ask for advice from Merlin.

Imagine that. Merlin being his adviser. The thought suddenly didn't seem as ridiculous as he would've expected.

It became their ritual to watch a movie together at night, and Arthur started educating Merlin about the classics. They had already seen everything related to Aladdin, so Arthur asked if Merlin had seen the star wars. What followed was some serious discussion about how can someone live for so long and have not seen star wars! Merlin argued that he wasn't on vacation through it all! He was actually a slave and if Arthur stopped being a prat and remembered it, it would be nice. They ended up watching the first three movies in one go, both of them ignoring Lea's hotness and sighing over how perfect Han Solo was. The next day Merlin was unbearable, talking in yoda speech throughout, and they finished their Star wars marathon. Arthur made Merlin see the God Father- which he loved, and schindler's list-which horrified him a little bit, making him incredibly sad. The biggest mistake was watching gone with the wind with him- Merlin had insisted, apparently there was a copy of the book on Arthur's shelf that he didn't even remember buying and Merlin had read it. Arthur thought that if he heard Merlin say "Frankly my dear! I don't give a damn," as a retort to every time Arthur made fun of him anymore, he would go crazy- not the least bit because of how the words my dear sounded in Merlin's accented voice. The day they watched Wizard of Oz was his favorite, because Merlin enjoyed watching magical things, to an outrageous degree! Happy Merlin meant happy Arthur. That's just how things had started to be.

Morgana, to put it mildly, had been flourishing under Merlin's tutelage. On Monday, she managed to make the flower bloom, the way she had failed to the previous day. Merlin than taught her how to move objects around, how to feel things with her magic, and how to identify with, and talk to nature around her. She had taken to feeding a little bit magic into the indoor creeper plant he kept in his kitchen, and every day it grew a couple of centimeters, just like Morgana grew in her confidence. Merlin had made Arthur buy an incredibly expensive book online, from a so called antique shop. A book that claimed to be a book of spells, but honestly seemed like a hoax. Merlin told him to shut up and not talk about the things he doesn't understand. The book was urgently delivered the next day, and it was the real deal. Morgana clutched it like a lifeline, and Merlin taught her new spells from it, whenever he felt like she was in control enough to try it.

The teaching surprised Arthur by how much of it involved closing one's eyes and meditating. He was sure if he had to sit that straight on hard floor for hours on end, he would need to start doing yoga for back problems. Morgana seemed to love it though. She came out of the meditation smiling, every time. When he voiced his incredulousness about it, she just looked at him weirdly and told him "It's meditation. It's supposed to be relaxing."

Merlin took a lot of joy in teaching Morgana too. Every time she successfully mastered a new spell, Merlin could not stop beaming. The happiness was contagious. Arthur had not felt so content in all of his life, and he was afraid he will jinx it.

A full week later, on Sunday, Morgana mastered how to light a candle with nothing but a whispered word, and Arthur felt his world closing in. With a reverent but powerful Forbearnan a flame appeared on the wick of the candle, lighting up the faces of Morgana and Merlin, and she lunged forward to hug him. Merlin looked at Arthur over her shoulder, proud.

At night, Merlin sat beside Arthur like usual, as Arthur continued his education on amazing movies everyone should've seen- today was Casablanca day- and spoke quietly.

"Morgana is doing great right?"

"Mhm! She has always been a quick learner."

"Pretty soon she won't need me anymore."

Arthur felt everything get quiet after that statement. Was Merlin saying what he thought he was saying? He paused the movie and turned towards him.

"Don't be stupid Merlin. She has barely started. A week ago she didn't even know magic existed. You are saying she is ready to be on her own already?" Arthur sounded a little harsh to even his own ears, but he could not contemplate the fact that Morgana didn't need Merlin already. Because he needed Merlin dammit. And if Morgana was done, there was no reason to keep him, no justification in keeping him bound against his will. Arthur should free him, he should!

"I am not saying now, you complete clotpole. I am saying she is learning quickly. So you won't need to wait long before you can ask me for whatever it is you want, without worrying about her." Merlin changed tracks, and Arthur hoped it was because he wasn't ready to leave just yet either. If it was up to Arthur, he could wait. He could wait a really long time. He could wait forever.

But Merlin could change his mind any time, and get tired of Arthur. He needed strategy.

"I never asked. I saw you reading the third HP book, but none after that. What happened?"

Merlin made a face, which made Arthur laugh. "You didn't have the rest of them, because you are an awful person."

"Why didn't you just ask for them?" Arthur asked, bewildered.

"Uh-" Oh right! Merlin didn't ask for things for himself.

"I will get them for you tomorrow." Arthur promised, and Merlin smiled at him, a little bit confused, and a lot grateful.

Arthur went to a book shop Monday morning, and bought the rest of the books. On a whim, he removed the 7th book from the pile at the cash counter. He would never admit it- to himself or anyone else- that he did it to bribe Merlin to stay just one more week. He couldn't leave without reading the last book of the series, could he?

Morgana continued to grow, and Merlin continued to become an essential part of their lives. Arthur and Morgana had always been close, but now they spent a few hours together every day, and it went a long way to strengthen their bond. Merlin became a friend for both of them, part of family, and for Arthur... something more. Merlin became everything Arthur had ever wanted in a companion. The only problem was... Merlin wasn't human. Most of the time Arthur did not remember that important fact.

Friday was when Merlin ended reading Half Blood Prince, lounging on the sofa while Arthur worked on his laptop. A whooshing sound, and instinct, made him duck. The book that had been in Merlin's hand for the last few hours, was now whipping over the point where his head had been a moment ago. It was a hard cover book.

He looked back at Merlin, a little bit in anger, a lot in shock. He was glaring back at him, with what looked suspiciously like tears in his eyes.

"What the hell Merlin?"

"You arse! Dumbledore is dead and I don't have the next book." Merlin moaned in despair. Arthur suspected he would be crying if genies could cry! It probably wasn't biologically possible for them, but Merlin looked close. He still wasn't asking for the book though, just complaining.

"I told you before; the shop was short of it." Arthur lied expertly.

"Hmph!" Merlin just pouted.

"You big baby," Arthur got up from his table and came towards him, gesturing him to scoot so he could sit beside the warlock. "We all waited 2 years for the next book. I am sure you can wait two days."

Merlin just let out a pitiful sad whine, and Arthur wrapped one arm around his shoulder, squeezing him against his size. Merlin was very malleable beside him, taking comfort in Arthur's proximity. Arthur remembered what a wreck he had been when he had read the book as well. He could sympathize.

Alright. He was a bastard. He had known this was exactly what would happen. But he could sympathize.

He compensated for it by watching all of Harry Potter movies, except the last two, over the weekend. Merlin was as appalled by the 'did you put your name in the goblet of fire' as any potterhead worthy of their title should be, and Arthur felt proud of that.

Merlin did not mention anything about Morgana not needing him anymore over that weekend, and Arthur wanted to do a victory dance. The allure of reading the next Harry Potter book had won! His plan had worked.

The creeper in Arthur's kitchen continued to grow, now reaching till the middle of the wall, and Arthur had to buy new supports for it. Morgana took to telekinesis like fish to water, and started moving things around, especially when Arthur would reach for them. Onstyrian, onbregdan became words Arthur grew to despise, because it always ended in him looking foolish, and Merlin and Morgana rolling on the floor laughing. She tried to take him off guard, and rejoiced every time she succeeded. Arthur had never noticed the fact that his sister looked sick all the time, dark circles expertly hidden by makeup, the loss of weight covered by curve hugging clothes, and an iron clad will helping her mask her fears and vulnerabilities. Now, he started seeing the woman she was, when all of her nightmares were taken away from her. She was beautiful, inside out. She looked so much healthier than she did when she had come crying into his apartment barely 3 weeks ago.

One day, during the middle of the third week into their strange domestic living situation, Morgana came over to Arthur's flat when the sun had all but sunk down the horizon. She was not alone.

"Arthur," She said carefully, not looking at or mentioning Merlin, "this is Mordred."

A little boy peaked out from where he was hiding behind her back. He was barely ten years old, with striking eyes and dark hair. He looked at Arthur reluctantly and then ducked behind Morgana to hide once more.

Arthur looked at his sister uncomprehendingly, so she explained.

"He has been following me around all day," Morgana explained, and before Arthur can get needlessly alarmed she elaborated, "He told me he needs my help."

"Okay..." Arthur was more confused than before now. Why did Morgana need to bring the kid here if he needed her help.

"He talks to me." She told him when he still didn't get it. "He talks to me without moving his lips Arthur. I can hear it in my head. "

And oh! Now he got it. Mordred had magic too.

"He is scared Arthur. He ran away from his house yesterday because he made the chandelier fall down and the windows of the room crack in an angry fit. He thinks he is a danger to his family and to protect them he left. He said he could sense me from his house. Has been able to ever since he can remember, but lately he could feel it getting stronger, and I was the first person he thought of after running away." She had a pleading tone in her voice the reason for which becomes clear when she said, "He needs help Arthur. Merlin's help."

Loathe as he was to share Merlin even more, the extremely hopeful look in the eyes of a young boy, who looked so extremely terrified at the same time won him over. The fact that Merlin looked like he had just found an adorable furry little animal and he wanted to coo over it and wrap it in a soft wool blanket to keep it safe forever, helped. In the end though, it was the selfish little voice in his head that told him if Mordred needed Merlin's help to control and learn his magic as well, he would probably stay longer, that made him nod his head and agree to keep another stray.

Mordred's problem was not that he didn't know how to use his magic or how to make it do his bidding. His problem was he didn't know how to stop it. It reacted to his moods faster than he could anticipate, happiness making a soft breeze to flow around and the flowers to bloom brighter and prettier, sadness making the lights flicker, but anger making things blow up without his control.

Mordred's reaction to Merlin surprised everyone by how unsurprised he was. He just looked at the warlock in wonder and nodded his head, and smiled his first real smile ever since he had entered the apartment. After contacting his family and telling him Mordred was alright- his mom had been sick with worry- they fed him warm food, Merlin taught him how to meditate and calm his magic down which was frazzled and terrified and lonely, and then Morgana bundled him up and took him back to his house, with the promise that he could come to Morgana any time, and she would bring him here whenever he asked.

Morgana it seemed, was quite taken with the child. She had always had motherly instincts and Mordred with his delicate frame and helpless fear could awaken the protective instincts in even Uther. Morgana was nothing in front of the power of those imploring eyes.

"Thank you Emrys." He said quietly to Merlin before leaving, and it was the first time he had spoken all day, Morgana had been his voice whenever he had wanted to convey something. He felt comfortable in speaking to Morgana's mind, more than he was in speaking out loud.

Something about the name, Emrys, put a dazed and shocked look on Merlin's face for the rest of the day, but try as he might Arthur could not imagine why Mordred would call him that. The word did not even sound vaguely familiar.

The topic was never brought up again, as Merlin began training both Morgana and Mordred. Where the former had now grown much surer of herself, the latter took a lot of tact and energy. Mordred was stubborn and fussy, and his temper quickly changed and shifted, causing his magic to adapt and be very unpredictable. Merlin decided that the best course of action was meditation for the kid, and they spent increasingly long hours sitting on yoga mats- Arthur had bought them because it was just painful to see them sitting on cold floor - while Mordred grew frustrated and inevitably smashed something. Arthur was glad he didn't have a lot of valuable decoration pieces in his house, and all he was losing was crystal glassware. He always kept one nearby, as a convenient outlet for when Mordred would inevitably lose his cool. Very soon he would need to buy more glasses.

A couple of weeks later, Arthur introduced Merlin to Doctor who, the moment he mentioned Morgana's -and Mordred's -progress. That hooked Merlin for good, and for a long time. Theoretically, Merlin could catch up on all the dramas and movies while Arthur was away at work, but Merlin claimed he liked seeing them with Arthur. They started sitting too close, their sides pressed against each other, taking comfort in the proximity; both knowing it won't-couldn't- last.

Arthur, who had a habit of ending up in the office even on Sundays, started taking both Sundays and Saturdays off- like normal people. He had someone waiting for him at home, and suddenly he understood why people were in a rush to leave. Mortifyingly, Uther noticed. He stopped him in the hallway one day, after a meeting finished, asking if everything was alright in his life.

"Yes father. Everything is great." Arthur couldn't help the tender smile that had crept over his face, and Uther's face lighted up in understanding.

"Oh! If it's like that, then I am happy for you son. This is what I had always hoped for you. I was just worried if you had gotten yourself in some sort of trouble, because you had never taken a weekend off willingly before."

"What do you mean?"

"You have found someone." Uther clarified, and to his complete mortification, Arthur blushed. "There is no need to be shy about it. I remember when I met your mother. Work was the last thing on my mind those days." Uther's smile had been nostalgic then, and Arthur wanted the ground to open up and swallow him whole.

"Its-there's- Dad! I haven't found anyone." Arthur whined.

"Whatever you say Arthur. Just know that you have my support, whoever you may choose." Uther chuckled, and Arthur thought it best to run away as soon as possible.

The climber in Arthur's kitchen continued to grow, much like Morgana's magic, Mordred's control and Merlin's pop culture knowledge. Arthur knew he was running out of excuses when Morgana started skipping days. She still came over, but regularly, and Mordred had not smashed a single thing in weeks, and now showed only once or twice a week just to learn new tricks from Merlin, and meditating. He seemed to have finally grown a liking to the task he despised so much just a couple of months ago. Arthur wondered that he should've felt happier with all the alone time he got with Merlin because of that, but it just made dread grow in his stomach.

It was time.