Was Merlin stupid? Going to Morgana's wedding and being annoyed at the sight of the Pnedragon's for a few hours was one thing, but this was asking too much. He never, ever planned on getting re-involved with these people. This was stupid. They did end up having tea, and instead of talking about anything too dangerous, Morgana kept the conversation on either her and Leon getting married or on Merlin's album that just released and for the most part Hunith had pretty much stayed quiet. Now, Merlin was leaving and Morgana was showing him out. While Hunith and Alice, who was their maid...because apparently they were so well-off and classy now that they had a maid, were cleaning up. Morgana was being very cucullated, Merlin had not technically agreed to anything yet, he said he would think about it, about bringing himself back into this world of literal hell, it was a lot to ask and she respected this. She said so as they were walking through the foyer, when all of a sudden the door to the house just burst open. This was the second time Merlin thought it was ghosts.
But instead, it was just a little boy, he came zooming in, his arms open wide as he ran and he was making car engine noises. Merlin stopped dead in his tracks, staring at the child who was one hundred percent ignoring Merlin's existence. That was okay though, because that's definitely what Merlin wanted. Someone was yelling now, a woman's voice and then suddenly a dark-skinned woman came rushing inside the door as well. Merlin thought she wasn't really rushing, more like waddling, as she was extra, extra pregnant. She stopped in the doorframe, eyes locked on Merlin and her mouth fell open. It didn't appear as if the woman cared about reprimanding the child now, as it was now screaming for it's 'Nana.'
"MERLIN!" She all but screamed and Merlin never thought he could hate his name so much, but after this he did now. She payed no mind to his cringing at her saying his name, as she waddled her way more into the house and pulled him into a hug, at least as good of one as she could, being that she was very pregnant. "I can't believe it, it's been so long!" she was gushing now, as she pulled away. She didn't seem to notice that Merlin didn't want to talk to her. "I can't believe you're here, are you here to help with Morgana's wedding?" she asked, but didn't give him time to answer, which was typical of her, she just grinned over at Morgana. "I told you he would come!"
And then there was someone else coming through the door then, complaining about why the door to the house was left open and then Merlin's stomach dropped, at the sight of Uther Pendragon. He too, paused at the door and then pulled a face of disgust. "I thought he'd be gone by the time I got home?" he said grouchily. All he did was look old, and his hair was even grayer than Merlin remembered. He wasn't in a suit either, he looked a bit gross honestly, in a red polo and too short shorts. He must have been golfing, he always loved golfing. He was glaring at Merlin now, plainly, and Merlin wanted to run, run so fucking far that they never even knew where he went.
"Shut up...Uther!" retorted Morgana and Uther rolled his eyes. His attention turned to the child then.
"How's my business partner doing, eh?" he was saying now, to the child. The boy shrugged and tapped his chin.
"I want ice cream and my mummy said no, I think we should fire her..."
"Can't argue your logic, son..."
Uther looked over to the woman and smirked and she rolled her eyes. "Where's Arthur?" she said, a little bit pointedly then. as if she were annoyed Arthur was not there, but Merlin wasn't. He was thanking every lucky star he had ever seen. Unless he was still outside and then Merlin was just going to commit right here and now. He had agreed to see Hunith and Morgana, he didn't want to see them all...he couldn't do that.
"I dropped him off at home," said Uther.
"I told him to meet me here!" complained Gwen. "He's supposed to watch Anthony for the weekend...I am trying to have a babymoon with my husband. I doubt Arthur really cares, obviously...but if he ever listened-"
"Arthur doesn't listen to anyone," said Uther then, cutting her off. "I would know...I raised him, we'll keep the boy for the night. Don't want to keep you from whatever it is you said you were doing with your layabout husband."
"Don't call Lance a layabout!" argued Gwen and Uther laughed. Gwen looked offended then and beckoned her son to her. "You're gonna stay with Granddad and Nana, alright? I'll have your dad pick you up tomorrow."
The child shrugged. "Can I have ice cream now?"
Gwen rolled her eyes dramatically and stood up straight, with some effort and then looked at Uther. Who, only laughed again. "I think we need to go over the books before we can come to a decision on that one, my boy."
"What books?" asked the child then.
"The right and wrong books..." Uther was saying as he led the child out of the foyer and toward the kitchen, without saying goodbye to any party in the room, not that Merlin cared, he didn't want a goodbye.
Gwen sighed dramatically. "I have to go, Lance is in the car," she came closer then and hugged Morgana, who actually hugged back, unlike Merlin had when she had hugged him. "Call me later if you want to talk, we're only going a few hours away if you need anything," she told her. She looked at Merlin then. "Don't be a stranger," she smiled and then turned on her heels, with a lot of drive for a pregnant person, then headed out of the house. "Bye!"
Once the door was shut Morgana turned to Merlin with rather large eyes. She knew all the things he was thinking right now and none of them were good. "I gotta get the fuck out of here..." he muttered and Morgana only frowned.
"Please, Merlin..." she was saying. "I know this is hard for you, but-"
she just gave up, without finishing her words, and just looked down, shaking her head. Merlin thought she knew it was a lost cause at this point and he felt bad, he really did, but he just couldn't be back in this environment. No matter what, even if Merlin wanted to, even if it was for Morgana, he didn't think he could survive it.
"I'll talk to you later," he said now. Because he didn't want to just say no, and say goodbye now, he didn't want to hurt her. "I'll call you..."
She nodded, but he thought they both knew that he probably wasn't going to call.
(A/N: This chapter right here is the literal inspiration for the entire story, I've had it written since the end of the last one, literally. Originally, this was going to be the epilogue for Falling, but I wrote the one that I used instead for more context, because obviously this both answers some questions but also ruins all of our lives entirely, and I love it! I was too excited to post this one, I was going to wait a few more days but I couldn't. I hope you all enjoyed it! A little note before I go: You pronounce "Nana" as NAWNAW, don't ask! Goodbye!)