Chapter 22
December came and the countdown to Morgana's and Leon's wedding continued. Hunith decorated the house full of Christmas cheer, for she had a lot to be thankful for. Her son was alive and slowly recovering from the accident. Merlin had gotten off the crutches but was now using a cane to walk. The doctors surmise that he would walk with a limp for the rest of his life, with or without a cane. Hunith was fine with that and made things easier for Merlin so he wouldn't put strain on his weaker leg and injure himself again.
Merlin would admit he was making progress with his walking but there was almost always a pulsing pain that shot from his below his calf. The doctors said it was a phantom pain from the accident but described low-level painkillers to use only when necessary.
The only difficulty he still struggled with was his hand. After two months, he was finally able to curl his hand around a coffee cup, but nothing as small as a pencil or guitar pick. He was smart and quickly learned how to write with his left hand. He enrolled back in school for his last few credits and easily graduated. He sold a few songs to Helen Moira to get started and bought a small apartment. Hunith was sad to see Merlin move out, but like birds, children needed to leave the nest and helped Merlin move, as well as the rest of his friends.
He started hanging around with Arthur more. It became an unofficial agreement between the two to meet up at one or the other's apartments every Friday to watch a movie and share a beer. Sometimes they would go to Kilgharrah's bar if they felt like it and listen to the new live band. Both agreed they weren't as good as The Rejects, but still continued to listen. Sometimes the rest of their friends would join them, but since they had lives of their own, it wasn't as often as Merlin and Arthur liked.
Christmas presents had gotten a lot hard to buy this year since he had more than three more gifts to buy. His mother was easy. He wrote her a song every year since he discovered his talent. This year, he didn't know what to do with his lame hand, so he opted to making an album with the songs he made so far that year.
For Gwen he got her a new sketch pad for her fashion designs and Will a book on complex computer programs. He got Gwaine and Percival a new album collection of their favorite artist and Elyan a new game that had come out. With Gwen's help he bought Morgana a new necklace and Leon a watch. Lancelot he got a briefcase, "For when he's a big shot lawyer," he told Gwen.
The most difficult present to get was for Arthur. He wanted it to be special and mean something, but at the same time, he felt that it should be practical and friendly. It was nerve wrecking and he spent hours of endless sleep over it.
The answer came to him one day while going through the drawer in his nightstand. He found a folded up piece of paper and after reading it carefully, he knew he found his gift. Going to his computer, he spent two days getting it ready.
On Christmas Eve, Merlin took a taxi to pick Arthur up from work to take to the group Christmas party. Everyone had somewhere else they needed to be on Christmas, so they decided to have the party on Christmas Eve to exchange presents and celebrate.
Merlin had just gotten off from another grueling therapy session with Freya and was now utterly exhausted, but he worked up enough strength to hail a cab and go to pick up Arthur. Freya wanted him to use a small rubber ball to help his hand and to practice writing. The latter he was hesitant in doing, he knows everyone thought he could use his hand to play again, but he knew he would never be able to play again. Writing had been his life, and the accident took that away from him.
He stepped out with his cane and limped up to the five story publishing house. The front desk secretary smiled as he walked in.
"Hi, Merlin," she said with an Irish accent. "Come to pick up Arthur, have you?"
"Yeah, Joy," he said smiling at her. "Been busy?"
"Slow today, actually," she said. "Got any plans for Christmas?"
"Spending it with my Mum. You?"
"Jane and I are going to her parents. I'm so nervous."
He could tell how nervous she was by the look on her face. Smiling at her reassuringly, he placed a hand on hers.
"Just be yourself and they'll love you," he said. "Jane loves you just the way you are, so don't try to be anything different."
"Back at you, stranger."
Merlin turned to see Arthur smiling at him. He wore a blue button down shirt, trousers and carried a briefcase. Morgana let them wear semi causal clothes unless it was an important meeting.
"Hey, Arthur," said Merlin happily. "Ready to go?"
Arthur opened his mouth to respond when a voice called out.
"Arthur, hey!"
Arthur visibly cringed. Merlin looked over Arthur's shoulder to see a man run up to them, a huge grin on his face. The man was gorgeous, definitely someone Arthur would date. The split thought of Arthur dating anyone hurt Merlin more than his leg currently did but the look on Arthur's face stopped the thought immediately.
"Arthur," said the man pressing himself to Arthur's side. "A friend of mine is hosting this awesome Christmas party. Maybe you and I…"
"I already have plans, Chad," said Arthur trying to move away but Chad seemed to be Velcro to his side.
Merlin glared at the man. So this is the infamous Chad. The man really didn't know the meaning of the word 'No'. The man was still trying to encourage Arthur to give up his ready-made plans and got to the party with him.
"Excuse me," said Merlin angrily. "Let go of my boyfriend."
Chad looked at Merlin in shock and Merlin had no doubt Arthur's face mirrored his. Playing the role, Merlin stood next to Arthur protectively.
"What?" said Chad.
"I'm his boyfriend, mate, and I would like for you to get your grubby hands off him."
"Arthur never said anything about a boyfriend."
"That's Mr. Pendragon to you, and he doesn't have to talk about his personal life with you. You're an employee, not a friend." He turned to Arthur, taking the man's hand in his. "Come on, love. Mum's waiting."
He led Arthur out of the building and toward the parking garage. As soon as they were in the car, Arthur let out a relieved laugh.
"Merlin, that was awesome!" he said. "I've been trying to get him off my back for months."
"Why hasn't Morgana fired him yet?" asked Merlin.
"She's looking for someone new right now, but after today, I think she'll let him off."
Arthur was still smiling when he drove out of the parking lot. When Merlin called Arthur his boyfriend, his heart skipped a beat, but knew that it was only to get Chad off his back, which he was grateful for. A part of him hoped that someday, Merlin would say he was his boyfriend for real, but knew it wouldn't come true.
They drove through the city toward Hunith's house, singing Christmas song to the radio, and spoke of their day. When they arrived at Hunith's Gwen, Will, Elyan, Gwaine, and Percival was already there. Arthur parked in the already cramped driveway and they walked in.
"Merlin," said Hunith, going up to great her son. "My boy."
"Hi, Mum," said Merlin hugging her back. "Where's everyone?"
"Lance is coming and so are Morgana and Leon," said Will.
"All right," said Merlin moving to walk in.
"Don't you dare," said Gwen smiling.
"What?" asked Arthur.
"Tradition."
Gwen pointed above and both looked up to see a clove of mistletoe hanging above them. Merlin felt a blush spread across his face and saw that Arthur was getting one as well. He looked at Gwen pleadingly. She shook her head.
"You're not leaving that spot until you kiss," she said.
Merlin sighed and turned to Arthur.
"Well, you heard her, and once Gwenn makes up her mind, nothing…"
Merlin was cut off when a pair of lips landed on his. Merlin froze in surprise as Arthur kissed him before returning it. It was different from the last time they kissed. That one had been about passion and lust, this one was tender, sweet, and, dare he think it, loving. For a moment, he did pretend that Arthur loved him. That it wasn't because the reason was because of stupid mistletoe.
Remembering that fact, Merlin pulled away and quickly hanging his jacket in the coat closet. He didn't see Gwen put away her phone with a sweet smile. Instead he went to the tree to set his presents under it. He saw Gwen eye them giddily and smiled at her.
"You'll have to wait."
"Oh, come on, Merlin, just a hint?" she asked.
"No," he said with a laugh.
The rest of the friends arrive shortly after and the party began. They all gathered around the table and passed around the food, talking about their plans for the next day and the New Years.
"What about you, Arthur," asked Hunith after everyone else. Morgana had just announced that she and Leon were going to spend it with Leon's parents in the country. "What are you doing for Christmas?"
"I was thinking of just staying in," said Arthur. "Don't have to march over to Dad's anymore for the yearly lecture on how to be a good son."
"Nonsense, you'll spend it with Merlin and me."
"I am?" said Arthur.
"He will," said Merlin.
"Of course. No one should be alone on Christmas."
That ended the argument. As soon as dinner was over, they went to the tree and passed out presents. Everyone loved the presents from Merlin and Merlin loved the presents he got from them.
"Uh, here, Arthur," he said handing Arthur a CD.
"What's this?" he asked.
"A song," he said. "A new one."
Smiling, Arthur went to the CD player and placed the disk in the reader. He pressed play and everyone was silent as soft electric music played through the speaker.
When you feel all alone
And the world has turned its back on you
Give me a moment please to tame your wild wild heart
I know you feel like the walls are closing in on you
It's hard to find relief and people can be so cold
When darkness is upon your door and you feel like you can't take anymore
Let me be the one you call
If you jump I'll break your fall
Lift you up and fly away with you into the night
If you need to fall apart
I can mend a broken heart
If you need to crash then crash and burn
You're not alone
Everyone was silent as the music played and they listened as Merlin's voice sung. There were more than few tears as the song played and ended. When the song ended, Hunith went over and hugged her son.
"That's my boy," she said.
"Thanks, Merlin," said Arthur, carefully putting the disk back in the case. "I love it. Now I won't feel so silly giving you this."
He handed Merlin a small box. It was wrapped in only a simple bow. Merlin carefully pulled it off and opened the box. Inside was a necklace with a blue guitar pick pendant. On the pick was a black dragon emblem.
"Thank you, Arthur," said Merlin lifting it out of the box.
"It's nothing fancy," said Arthur. "I just…"
"Arthur, it's perfect." Merlin gave him a reassuring smile and slipped it over his head. "Thank you."
Arthur smiled and settled next to Merlin on the couch. The rest of the gifts were passed and opened and Hunith brought out her husband's old guitar.
"Mum…" said Merlin looking at it in surprise and sadness.
"It's tradition, Merlin," she said. "And I know your hand's not ready to pick a guitar, so Arthur's going to do it instead."
"Arthur?" Merlin looked at the man in surprise as his mother handed him the guitar.
"You're not the only one who can play a guitar," said Arthur tuning the guitar and started playing 'The Christmas Song'. "On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…"
"Naruto singing off key," said Merlin and everyone started to laugh. Arthur played again.
"On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…"
"Two Sebastian Michealis cakes," said Will and Merlin said his line. Arthur played the first line again.
"Three Pikachus," said Gwaine and shrugged. "It was all I could think of."
They laughed. Will and Merlin said their line. Arthur played the refrain again.
"Four Deathscythe Hell," he said. They went back around and Gwen spoke the next verse.
"Five Shikon Jewel Shards," she said. Lancelot spoke next after they went back around.
"Six Kurikara," he said.
"Seven Celestial Warriors," said Percival after they went back around.
"Eight Kumagoro," said Merlin and giggled.
"Nine Millennium Silver Crystals," said Morgana.
"Ten Tensiega," said Elyan.
"Eleven Ninja Stars," said Arthur.
"Twelve Zodiac Signs," said Leon.
"And Naruto singing off key," said Merlin, finishing the song, holding the note for a full two minutes before stopping.
They sung a few more corals before Hunith stood.
"Come, everyone," she said. "Time for church."
Gwaine groaned and Hunith slapped him over the head.
"Show some respect, boy," she said and went to get her coat. Gwaine put a hand to the back of his head and rub.
"Ow," he said softly. Everyone laughed.
"Come on, you big baby," said Percival standing up. Gwaine and the others followed him. Arthur took Merlin's arm to hold him back.
"Merlin, about your present," said Arthur.
"I love it, Arthur. Don't worry." He picked the guitar pick off his chest and looked at it. "I know why you got it, Arthur. I understand, and I'll try. That's a promise."
Arthur smiled, reassured by Merlin's promise, and they joined their friends at the cars.
TBC
Hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays!