I know this is so late. Real life got in the way. And the Miraculous Ladybug fandom… And more of real life… Real life sucks. Please don't hate me.
It's been three days since they first arrived and they're no closer to returning home then when they first found themselves stuck here.
"Oh, stop being so bloody pessimistic," Pygmy sighed. "Merlin's no longer dying from some obscure poison, he's getting closer to the answer every day, and Narcissus loves you. That's more than you can say three days ago."
The peacock's head was rubbing against Arthur's hand like a cat.
"I suppose so," he said. "But Merlin's been pouring over every book and article and what-have-you, and still has nothing to show for it."
"That's because there's not much about magic in this day and age," Merlin grumbled, stumbling out from room while rubbing the sleep out of his eyes from his latest nap. "I have to dig deep into dad's archive, and none of it is alphabetized or in any sort of organized system. And it's about a mile long and wide."
It had been the same complaint since he started his search.
"And where is this room again? In some magical, dimensional rift or something?" Arthur asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yes," Merlin groaned. "It's killing me."
"I did offer to help," Arthur started, trying to reign in his curiosity and coat his voice in listless boredom. He enjoyed spending time here in the future, learning about all sorts of things, but he couldn't help but feel completely useless. Learning to drive cars and what the future (today's history) held in store for the world was fun and all, but it wasn't helping him and Merlin get back home.
"I know, and the offer is nice, but—"
"You wouldn't understand the language," Pygmy interrupted. "Not unless you got a bit of alien dragon race in your blood."
Merlin glared. "Which is why you could be helping me, sister."
Pygmy scrunched up her nose. "You know I hate that place, and the language always gives me a massive headache. My performance is in one week, brother, I can't mess it up."
"Oh, of course." Rolling his eyes, Merlin opened the rift door with a wave of his hand and a flash of golden eyes. One step and he disappeared in a ripple. Since coming to terms that his best friend was a sorcerer from the future, Arthur doesn't think he'll ever get tired of seeing magic.
"You'll come, right?" Pygmy asked.
Arthur looked up, caught off guard. "Hmm? Come where?"
"To my performance." She laughed. "Daydreaming about magic again, were you?"
"No," he lied unconvincingly.
"Sure, sure." Pygmy jumped off the table she was sitting on and made her way to the front door, grabbing a large bag containing her 'dance essentials,' as she explained to him the day before. "See you in a few hours! Or tomorrow." She glided out the door, humming an unfamiliar tune.
After a few minutes, Miss Ruth popped her head around the corner. "Are they gone already?"
Arthur nodded.
"That was quick. I've got some pies that need to be made. Care to assist me?"
Grinning, Arthur stood up and followed Merlin's mum into the kitchen. This has quickly become his second favorite part of the day: helping cook all sorts of meals and then taking care of all the creatures out on the roof.
His favorite part is when Merlin showed him all about the modern world around him. Usually, this was late at night when there weren't very many people out. He also loved when Merlin told him stories, fictional or nonfictional. Sometimes he'd read or tell the entire story in one sitting, but most often than not, he'd fall asleep, leaving Arthur to either finish the book himself or wait until his friend woke up again. More often than not, Arthur ended up maneuvering him into his room to sleep on an actual bed, which Arthur would fall asleep on minutes or hours later.
It had only been a few days, but he started to enjoy this routine. He enjoyed not being the Prince; here, he was simply a friend.
x~xXx~x
One week. One whole week.
"What do you think is happening in Camelot right now?" Arthur asked quietly. They were watching some show that Arthur didn't really understand, but it had a lot of colors, which was nice.
"Well, technically it's all already happened," Merlin pointed out.
"I know that," Arthur said defensively. "But do you think… Do you think Lolloc managed to trick everyone? Do you think my kingdom is falling apart right now?"
"No." Merlin reached for Arthur's hand, squeezing it tightly. "No, I believe that we've already stopped him, and no one even knew that he tried to take over the kingdom."
Arthur swallowed. "Really?"
"Yes."
Right then, Miss Ruth's head popped around the corner. "Boys, dinner's ready!"
With a final squeeze, Merlin released Arthur's hand and stood up. "What's for dinner?" he called. "I'm starving."
"Pot roast with potatoes, carrots, and celery," Arthur replied. "There's some pie for desert."
"Did you make the pie or my mum?" Merlin asked.
Feeling proud of himself, Arthur grinned. "I did. All by myself."
"And he did a fine job at it too," Miss Ruth commented. She nodded towards one of the chairs. "That suit there is for you, Arthur. You'll need it for tonight's show. Merlin, yours is right next to it. It was so dusty and wrinkly when I found it stuffed in your closet. Pygmy would have your head if you showed up like that, so I had it cleaned."
"Thanks mum." Merlin kissed her cheek. To Arthur, he said, "I'll show you how to wear it. Suits are bloody complicated."
Running his hand carefully over the fabric, Arthur tried not to gasp. It felt so silky. He was afraid to ask how expensive it was for her. "Thank you so much, Miss Ruth. You're too kind."
"I know, I know, but there's really no need to thank me. Now sit down and eat. I can't stand another moment in this kitchen without eating this delicious food."
Laughing, they all sat and dug in. Arthur never felt more at home than right then.
x~xXx~x
"That was so beautiful!" Arthur exclaimed. "I've never seen such movements! And your outfits—Wow! Exquisite!"
"Yeah, I forgot how beautiful you danced." Merlin grinned. "Very elegant. Those pirouettes and arabesques—they were perfect."
"They better have been," his sister said, reaching for a breadstick. "I can't tell you the amount of times I fell asleep at the studio practicing those steps."
"I know they'll promote you to principal dancer, if they don't they must surely be mad!"
"I completely ag—" She stopped, staring distrustfully. After a moment, she leaned back and crossing her arms. "You want something."
Merlin widened his eyes in faux innocence. "Me? Can't I just compliment my sister without wanting something in return?"
"No."
"Children, please," Mrs. Ruth said calmly, stirring her coffee. "We are in a restaurant. Behave."
Huffing, Pygmy muttered, "I'll behave when your son does."
Mrs. Ruth rolled her eyes. She looked at Arthur as if to say, Children. Some days you love them, some days you restrain from smacking them upside the head.
"So exactly what is it you want?"
"Now that you mention it, there is something that I've been needing assistance with." Merlin leaned in, as if talking about a deadly secret. "Since you're no longer getting ready for a performance, which, I'll say again, you did excellent at, you could help me with that little problem I've been having."
Pygmy groaned. "I told you! Those books always give me a headache."
"So?" Merlin's fists clenched as his voice lowered and turned into a hiss. "I'm trying to get Arthur back home! If you won't do it for me, do it for him!"
Copying her brother's actions, Pygmy rebutted: "You know I hate that place, Merlin! I barely go down there! I'll just be a burden!"
"Some wine?"
"Yes, I'll take some," Arthur said quickly, anxious to drink away the sound of his bickering friends. Not to mention, from the sound of it—I'm trying to get Arthur back home—it didn't seem like Merlin wanted to return with him. How could Arthur blame him, though? The future was Merlin's home; his family was here.
He looked up, expecting to see the face of the man who'd asked what beverages they'd like several minutes earlier. Instead there was the familiar manic grin of his not-lawyer.
"Y-You," Arthur muttered. He glanced sideways, but Merlin and Pygmy were oblivious, and Miss Ruth had excused herself to go to the loo.
"Yes, me," the man—the Doctor—said. "How are you Arthur?"
"Er, fine," he said awkwardly. "Why are you here?"
"Just keeping tabs on you. I hear Merlin's been having some troubles." He poured the red drink into Arthur's glass.
"You say that like you have a solution."
"Perhaps." He handed Arthur a small device. "I hope to see you soon, Arthur. Be it in the past or in the future."
Then, the Doctor left with wink, sipping out of the wine pitcher as he weaved his way out the building.
Unsure of what exactly just happened, Arthur glanced down at the device. It didn't seem like much, but it was from the Doctor. It had to help him get home somehow, if all the stories Merlin had told about him rang true.
"Merlin? What is—oh, sorry."
The man who'd taken their drinks was back, and Merlin had been telling him what he'd like to eat. Arthur waited, feeling awkward and out of place, as everyone ordered their meal. Since she wasn't back yet, Pygmy ordered for her mother.
"So," Merlin said once the waiter left. "What is it you wanted to know?"
Arthur felt nervous suddenly. If he was right, then the device in his hands would get him home. If he was wrong…he might never get home.
"Arthur? Are you okay?" Merlin asked when he hadn't answered immediately.
"Yeah, fine," he responded a bit too quickly. He noted the way Merlin's look of concern deepened. "It's just… What is this?"
Frowning, Merlin took the device. As he examined it, his frown turned into astonishment.
"W-Where did you get this?"
"The Doctor gave it to me, just now. While you and your sister were bickering," Arthur added when it looked like Merlin was about to ask When. "What is it?"
"It's my key," Merlin said, his eyes shining. "My key to my time machine. Arthur, we can get home!"