As soon as they opened the door both men knew that Hunith had indeed been cooking. The air was permeated with cooking smells from freshly baked cake to Merlin's favourite meal Roast Beef. Hunith hearing the door open rushed towards her son "Merlin my boy" with that he was enveloped in her arms and hugged. Then feeling him stiffen she released him quickly "I'm so sorry your poor side"
Merlin gave his mum a grin "Don't worry mum it was worth it" he paused "Is that Roast Beef I smell?"
Hunith smiled "With all the trimmings and Bara Brith. I have also made shortbread for Arthur and Apple Cake for Gwaine."
Arthur grinned at Hunith "And enough things to fill the freezer if I know you. Can you let us in the door Hunith!?"
Hunith grinned and stepped back her smile still almost cracking her face in half as she looked at her son. "I'll make you a cup of tea boys, go and sit down. Arthur go and call Gwaine please, he is resting in his room"
Merlin looked at his mother sharply then demanded "Is he alright?"
"Yes son, he just stayed up late last night watching a film and he forgets he is still weak. You know Gwaine." Hunith shock her head "He won't listen to me, Oh and Arthur I haven't let him drink your whiskey! But it's been a struggle"
Arthur laughed, then realized it was the first time he had in ages. "Well if he's allowed he can have one with me later"
"I heard that Princess" came a voice from the doorway. "And I'll keep you to it. Hunith bless her soul has a heart of stone!" there was a brief silence then an "Ow" as Hunith flipped Gwaine round the ear with a tea towel.
"No apple cake for you my boy" Hunith threatens
"Ow Hunith don't be mean! You know the doctors say I need to put on weight" Gwaine turns his puppy dog eyes on Hunith.
Arthur is pleased to hear a small chuckle from Merlin "Give up while you can Gwaine" the raven haired man said "I for one don't intend to upset Mum, not with roast beef on the menu"
Hunith looked at her son "You deserve it my Caraid, but this lump has been spoilt for days now and needs to learn better manners. He has had me making Apple cake every day on the grounds he needs to put on weight!"
Merlin and Arthur smiled at each other knowing full well Hunith would continue to spoil Gwaine as long as he let her. Arthur took Merlin's things into their bedroom and unpacked leaving Hunith with her son. Gwaine followed Arthur "How is he?" he asked quietly so Merlin couldn't hear.
Arthur looked at Gwaine "Could be better, but coping, better than I would have, Merlin is strong. How are you?
Gwaine ran his hands through his hair which was longer than regulation having managed to not have it cut since he had got back. "Could be better but coping." He gave Arthur a serious look "Merlin took what happened as his fault, it wasn't but that's not how he sees it"
"I know" Arthur admitted. "But with all our support he will get through this" Arthur gave up unpacking and threw the bag into the corner. After all what could be in there that Merlin would need. "We are here for you as well, you know that don't you?"
"I do Princess, but Merlin needs you more. I will give his mum a couple of days with him then I'm getting her to come back to Wales with me. You two need to have time together alone. Me and his mum are important to him, but it is you that will get him through this. We can come back if needed." Gwaine said honestly. Then to Arthur's surprise the other man continued "I am jealous you know…. Of what you two have, I never thought I would say that. I'm more a love and leave um type, but when we were captured I couldn't help but think how nice it must be to have someone waiting for you, he loves you so much you know, and I know you love him." Gwaine stopped talking then turning away said "But I'm holding you to that drink"
"Gwaine" Arthur called out "Thank you for being there for him, it means a lot….and you can have your drink we need to celebrate you two being home. In fact you can have more than one!"
"Oh I intend to" Gwaine grinned as he went back to see his almost brother.
After a lovely meal later they all sat and just enjoyed each other's company. Then at eight Arthur looked across at Merlin "Come on love it's been a long day, Lets have an early night"
Merlin looked at Arthur through sleepy eyes "kay…sorry Mum"
"Go and rest Merlin we have all day tomorrow" Hunith told her son "We will sleep better knowing we have you both back. I don't think any of us has slept properly for a long time."
Arthur put his arm round Merlin and let the younger man lean on him as they went to their room. Merlin looked at Arthur "I'll have a full wash in the morning if that's alright"
"Good idea, come one let's get to bed" Merlin went in the on suite to have a quick wash and brush his teeth. Arthur went in after him. When Arthur came out Merlin was already in bed. He was wearing an old t shirt and sleeping trousers, which surprised Arthur as they normally slept naked together. Then he realized that Merlin was still wearing a dressing over his sutures on his chest. He had already noticed how Merlin had sat all evening, so he could hide his facial scars. His heart dropped at how they affected Merlin, he needed to understand that his scars made no difference to any of them, but perhaps now was not the time to mention it. He got carefully into bed and got as close to Merlin as he could, very gently putting his arm over Merlin's waist.
"Love you" he whispered "This bed has been so empty without you, my life has been so empty" Arthur kissed Merlin gently on the forehead. Not expecting anything but just to hold Merlin as they slept. With Merlin's injuries and exhaustion everything else would have to wait.
Merlin looked at Arthur studying his face before returning the kiss "I love you to Prat! Just hold me…please"
The medication Merlin was on soon had him falling asleep. Arthur led there just looking at Merlin, taking in the leaner face and the signs of the ordeal he had been through. The scar on his face was on the side Merlin was lying on so hardly visible but although Arthur hated the injury and pain Merlin had been though he had told the truth when he said the scars didn't matter. All he now need to do was convince Merlin of that fact. As Arthur listened to Merlin's soft breathes, he to, finally fell asleep.
Twice that night Arthur woke to find Merlin having a nightmare. But each time with gentle reassurance Arthur managed to calm Merlin with the other man barely waking. Merlin was so exhausted after everything that he slept through, with the help of his medication. Merlin woke early the next morning to find Arthur gazing at him. "Hello sleepy head" Arthur said gently squeezing Merlin "Now you are awake do I get a proper cuddle?"
Merlin was led on his front with his head turned towards Arthur and his arm flung across his husband's waist. Looking at Arthur Merlin turned over onto his side and grimaced as he did so, the sutures on his side pulling slightly even though he had been careful. Merlin's hair was tousled from sleep and Arthur found the sight adorable. The blonde carefully gathered Merlin into his arms and got Merlin to rest his head on his chest. The same position they often used to lay in when having a lazy lie in.
"It's only seven" Arthur said "So we can afford to lie here for a while"
Merlin smiled as the vibration of Arthur's voice went through his chest. "sgood" he mumbled savoring the comfort he was getting from the normality of the situation.
Arthur ran his hand carefully through Merlin's hair and placed small kisses on the top of his head. "I could stay here all day"
Arthur felt Merlin smile where he was snuggled in "So could I, can we?"
Merlin always loved to snuggle up which in a way surprised Arthur at the beginning of their relationship, after all in his job Merlin was a fighter and a strong character. It wasn't until they had been living together for several months that Arthur realized how Merlin liked to be able to allow Arthur to take the dominate role when at home. Not to say Merlin was a pushover because he wasn't. It was that softer side to his personality that only Arthur was privileged to see, and he never abused it. Now hopefully Merlin would allow Arthur to help him through the months to come.
"I see no reason why not, but I expect your mother will expect to see us at some time today" Arthur teased.
The men stayed where they were until Merlin needed to get up "Got to pee" he muttered "Stay there"
Hunith must have heard Merlin up and about as she knocked on the door "Would you boys like breakfast in bed?" she shouted.
"Please Mum" Merlin told her before Arthur had chance to say otherwise. Merlin crept back into bed and got back into Arthur's arms, hiding his face once more.
Hunith knocked and came in with a tray of tea and toast "I thought toast would be easiest." Smiling she added "Don't expect this service every morning"
Arthur thanked her and promised to get up soon.
"No need, take your time. Gwaine is coming with me to the shops we will be gone for a couple of hours. Do you need anything?" It was clear Hunith intended to give the men some privacy.
"No thanks Hunith" Arthur told her, then nudging Merlin asked "Nothing you wanted love?"
"No thanks mum" came the muffled reply. Merlin didn't want to lift his head so his mother could see his face.
They ate their breakfast then after a cuddle got up. Arthur noticing immediately how stiff Merlin was. "Do you want some help?"
"Nah. I'm ok" Merlin told him as he collected up some clean clothes and headed to the bathroom. He dropped his boxers on the way. After Merlin had been gone a few moments Arthur noticed the boxers on the floor and picked them up and went into the bathroom to hand them to Merlin
"You dropped thes….." Arthur started to say as he walked in on Merlin who was stood facing the mirror. He stopped as he saw the old bruising on his husbands back. Merlin's back was covered in yellow from old bruising from the beating he had undergone, something Arthur hadn't known about, all the information he had been given had been concentrated on his new injuries. "What the…"
Merlin turned and glared at Arthur "What are you doing in here?!" he demanded.
"You dropped these love" he held up the boxers "What happened to your back?" He moved closer "Merlin…."
Merlin screwed up his face closing his eyes. Then opening them he snatched the boxers from Arthur "It's nothing, now please leave me in peace"
Seeing his face Arthur turned and walked out, his mind in turmoil, what else was Merlin hiding from him? Just what had happened to him when he was in the hands of his captors? How could he ask without upsetting Merlin?
It was five minutes before Merlin came into the bedroom now dressed any injuries covered. Arthur stood up from where he had been sitting on the bed. His face one of concern and worry. "Merlin I appreciate you don't want to speak about it, but I need to know, what happened, please don't make me ask Gwaine"
Merlin stood looking at Arthur as if making up his mind. He knew Arthur to well, if he didn't tell him Gwaine would, it would be better coming from him. Merlin sat down and patted the bed. Arthur sat beside him. "It's worse than it looks" he paused "We had make the decision early on to try to escape. One of the boy got the chance but he was caught. To try and stop the others trying again they hit me a few time with a dura, a leather strop"
Arthur was horrified. But Merlin immediate said "It wasn't that bad they didn't even break the skin. It was just a warning nothing more. It doesn't even hurt now." Merlin was doing his best to minimize Arthur's concerns, after all that was over now he was home.
Arthur gently turned Merlin slightly then he raised Merlin's top so he could see his back, lowering the jogging bottoms that Merlin was wearing to see the extent of the bruising. His fingers gently tracing the marks. "The bastards!" he snarled savagely.
"Arthur it was nothing, just stop it!" Merlin said pulling away and readjusting his clothes. Still keeping his face slightly averted. "Just drop it! And don't mention it to Gwaine, the others felt bad enough as it was."
Arthur nodded then brokenly asked "What else? …What else did they do to you?"
Merlin sagged into himself "Nothing ok. Yes we were tied up and not fed much but nothing else happened. My other injuries were my own clumsy fault"
" No Merlin it was not your fault, none of what happened was!" Arthur insisted "And please look at me. Do you think I care about our face? You could have lost limbs and been scared all over and it wouldn't make any difference how I feel about you! I love YOU not the external you but the inside you!"
With a gentle and tended hand Arthur carefully turned Merlin's face towards him and he gently peppered kisses down the exposed scar on Merlin's face before kissing his lips "The scar reminds me of how lucky I am to have you back, nothing more. Please don't push me away. If I was scared would it change how you feel about me?"
Both Arthur and Merlin were close to tears. "No!" Merlin said "Of course not!"
"Then don't hide yourself from me….please"
Merlin rested his forehead on Arthur shoulder "sorry"
The blonde wrapped his arms gently round Merlin and pulled his close and held him "Don't let what happened change us Merlin…..or they have won"
As Arthur released Merlin slightly he smiled weakly "Looks like I will get to see you with a stubble. I like it"
Merlin slapped Arthur "I can't shave my scar and I won't just leave a patch. The doctors gave me permission to leave it until it's fully healed."
"Well then I will have to put up with a rash from kissing you!" Arthur tried to lighten the mood not wanting Merlin to brood. "But Merl don't hide anything from me. Let me be here for you"
Merlin nodded and then Arthur showered and dressed before they went out to the kitchen to make another cup of tea. Merlin spotted the remains of the Bara Brith and cut a slice "No one makes this like Mum"