Henry was silent, his thumbs tapping out the newest message to his boyfriend, Andy. Richard Bates drove, his tired eyes focusing on the yellow lines. Henry preferred the silence to his father's idle chatter. Despite the respect, there were words he hadn't the faintest idea of how to convey. Still, his father tried. "Are you still doing debate?"

"Not yet. They're choosing another captain since the first one got early admission." It was better to lie than to indulge in the paranoia that a lot of the members were study-freaks, usually on too many focus pills that left them high strung. Henry preferred using other means of adrenaline – football, student council, debate team… And his volunteer at the hospital. Volunteer was using the term liberally – he had to be there. Andy replied to his whining with an emoji. He snickered, hiding his phone in his pocket and shaking his head.

"How is Andy?" Richard asked. Henry shook his head. Even trying to be the 'I accept you' dad, it wasn't a topic he generally wanted to discuss.

"Andy's… Andy?"

"You two have a fight?"

"No –"

"Because, if you're fighting, you have to remember it's not you versus them. It's both of you versus the problem."

"I know." He turned his attention to the window, cheeks burning.

"You know, your mum –"

"I know." His voice had dropped. Henry's mother had passed when Henry was a toddler. Richard had been overcome with grief, delving into his work and his son's life, trying his best. Though Henry loved him for it, he wished his father was both around more and less meddlesome. Teenagedom did some strange things.

"We're almost home." Richard announced, turning on the left blinker. Again, this was something he didn't need to be told. Yet, Richard insisted on it, if only for the sake of talking.

"Should I order?" The teenager asked, pulling out his phone again to another message from Andy.

"Do we still have salad?" Richard asked.

"No, I ate that."

Richard sighed and nodded, pulling over. "Want to drive?"

"Can I?" Henry asked. The older nodded, getting out of the vehicle. He pinched the bridge of his nose, indicating that he had lost vision in his eye again. It happened on and off, usually accompanied by a migraine. Henry climbed over the seat gap, slamming the door as Richard fell onto the passenger seat.

"You can play music, you know." Richard informed his son, his smile weak.

"I know." Henry had said those words too many times. They arrived home, Richard having fallen asleep in the short span. Henry tucked the keys into his overcrowded jacket, annoyed with the small cottage his mother had envisioned them all living in. Still, it kept the hope for love strong. His father had uprooted everything he knew for the woman who Henry would never visualize without a picture. He walked around the car, pulling his father to his feet and allowing him to lean against him. He counted the number of cobblestones, sliding the key into the lock. Richard stumbled, finally conscious. "I'll make tea."

"Mm…" He yawned, the farm kitchen light almost blinding to the cornea. Henry had started reheating Chinese takeout they had ordered not two days ago. "You should sleep."

"Not yet." Henry offered a plate to him.

"Eat and sleep." Richard mumbled, tearing into the food. Henry picked at his own, starting to read the itinerary for tomorrow. Seven AM practice, school, three PM council leaving four to nine shift. He sighed, plugging his headphones in. Six hours of sleep. He'd been in worse situations.

Richard patted his shoulder, heading straight to the master bedroom on the other side of the house. It was one of the design plans Henry loved his mother for. He texted Andy, brushing his teeth and lay on his bed, closing his blue eyes for the last time.

At first, it was dark. The water rushed by his ears was all he heard. Slowly, the bonfires in the distance dotted the horizon. The hidden moon revealed itself from the cloud cover, revealing the barge he was sitting on. Henry had had this dream before. He lifted his head, shadows he didn't recognize scattered across the land.

The last time he had been here had been an accident. He remembered the shadowed King that had seemed hidden from view. But, it was never malevolent. The barge drifted onto the island. And Henry stood.

Twelve divided into six on either side of him. In front of the bonfire stood a thirteenth. Henry held his head high, stepping past. Future, Once, Always murmured at each step. As he approached, the figure in front of him turned, the details of the same blonde hair, the blue eyes illuminated by the fire. Henry could feel his heart pounding.

The warrior King wore his banner, the blood-soaked armour glistening like it was still fresh. He didn't smile, his hand reaching for the boys. Henry offered it freely.

"Still so young. So much potential." Henry examined him, eyebrow raised. 'We're identical' was his only thought.

"Who are you?" Henry questioned.

"I am the reason you hold your grandfather's nickname like a curse." His mouth quirked into a frown. "On the Lake of Avalon, where Excalibur was thrown. Died for my people and my pride."

"… Arthur Pendragon." Henry shook his head. It was probably because he had visited his grandfather.

"For generations, I have been drawn to potential for those that could do better. Rising only when it was necessary." He held Henry's eye, the sorrow beginning. "If I could, I'd leave you be."

"Why call?" Henry questioned, his tongue heavy.

"It is not my choice when I am called forth. I do not know why. Only that I am needed again." He exhaled slowly, his chin tilting to the fire. "I cannot come back without a willing trader. My life for theirs."

Henry's eyes widened. The 'no' formed on his lips immediately. Arthur, if that's who he was, continued. "You would live between the worlds, as a shadow on Avalon with a direct link to myself. I do not take my pledge lightly. Anything you request, any actions you'd wish I'd take, it is yours."

Henry paused. "So, you'd be in my body?"

"Yes. Until such time as I pass."

"My life for yours." Henry repeated, dumbfounded. "You have no idea what the task is. An act of blind faith."

"Essentially." Arthur bowed his head. Henry felt the tears leak from his eyes

"What happens if I refuse?"

"I have to find another vessel." The simplicity of the statement.

"You've done this twelve times?" Henry asked, gesturing to the shadows. When he glanced back, a mixed smile of bittersweet and fondness was on Arthur's face.

"Twelve wars. World War 2 was the last one I attended."

"Is there another war coming?" Henry asked. Arthur shrugged. Henry sighed. "Do I have to decide right now?"

"In this setting, yes. If you wake up again, I will be to another."

Henry considered. It would be easy to say no. He could marry Andy, get a job in politics like Richard wanted, adopt a million adorable rescues. But, all life was precious. If he said no, another would pass. He met Arthur's eye, the other silent. "I have terms."

"Of course." Arthur stood straight, as if a soldier waiting for orders.

"My father and grandfather can't know that I'm not…" He swallowed.

"That's a standard one."

"My boyfriend – make sure he knows I love him." He ignored the confused gasps from the audience. Arthur nodded slowly. "My friends, my coworkers…"

The tears flowed freely now. Arthur rested a hand on his shoulder. "I promise, everyone you care about, won't know the difference."

"How can you be so sure?" Henry asked. The shadows all chortled. Arthur flashed a look of annoyance.

"These were questions you had at one point." He told his subjects. The laughter died down. He returned his attentions to the boy. "I'll be in your body, controlling your actions, using your voice. You will be aware, alive… In here."

He touched where the heart was rumoured to be. Henry's fists clenched. "For how long?"

"… I've never made it past twenty-five." Henry's eyes widened. Arthur tried to offer a sad smile. "But, with the advancement of science, I'm sure I can push past thirty."

"Twenty-five won't get you where you need to be." His brow furrowed, Andy's proclamation of soul mates echoing in his mind. "How do soul mates work?"

Arthur shrugged. "I've been on this island for a thousand years. I don't know matters of the heart, of souls or their mates."

Henry swallowed audibly, nodding to himself. Arthur squeezed his shoulder. "Know that if it weren't imperative, I wouldn't ask this of anyone."

"After you answer this question, you have my consent." Henry knew he'd spend the rest of his life wondering if this was the better option if he said no. Who better to rule than the Legend themselves? Arthur nodded his consent. "This seems like it's hell for you. Who cursed you?"

"It's not a curse. It's just how he was born."

"Who?"

"Merlin." He wondered if he should warn Arthur about the old man in the hospital. Instead, he nodded to himself.

"What do I have to do?"

"You gave your consent." Arthur embraced him, portions of him transferring. Henry gasped, the cold shiver on his spine running through, like the tales of ghosts passing by. He tried his best not to shiver. The shadows were watching.

For Arthur, it was a different story. As though he had swept into the cold water of Avalon, his head held under the barge, inhaling the water. The skeletons under him tried to grasp at him, tear at his banner. He was suffocating. He threw one leg onto the barge, dragging himself onto it. For the first time, his face didn't change when he looked in the water.

Arthur sat up abruptly, covering his mouth as he coughed up the water. It soaked the sheets he found himself in, the rough feeling in his chest burning. He spluttered, lifting himself long enough to find the bathroom. However, the majority of what he had swallowed remained in the bed. He remembered the pitch black water, the shadows. The boy. Henry.

He groaned as he met his eye in the mirror, soaked in sweat and flushed. The blonde mess of hair fell into his eye, his toned muscles still shivering. Calming down, he closed his eyes and summoned Henry. The soul was there. Not for the first time did Arthur feel the pang of a breaking heart. Still, he scoured Henry's soul for the answers to his questions. Your father is Dr. Richard Bates. You're sixteen. Known as Henry and … Baby? To Andy. Once and Future King to Malcolm Bates – your grandfather. You love your father and tend to care for him but want to be your own person. Once he reached the affirmative, he finished coughing up the remaining water. Other images flooded past his eyes. Castles. Orders. Vows. Wars.

"Henry?" Richard asked, rubbing his eye. Concern flooded his face immediately as he pressed a hand to his son's forehead. "Are you all right?"

"Bad dream." Arthur spoke, finding the accent odd. It wasn't the Welsh and old English he had become accustomed to.

Richard patted his son's shoulder. Arthur was envious, desperately wishing this had been the Uther Pendragon he knew. "You're going to be all right for tomorrow?"

Arthur nodded, drying off the sweat and worry. Richard returned the sentiment, returning to his own bed as Arthur slid to the floor, covering his face. Would he be alone this time? Did Merlin die? It was kinder than the alternative thought of Merlin abandoning him. He pinched the bridge of his nose and returned to the bedroom, finding it strange that it wasn't made of straw. Still, he didn't enjoy the damp sheets. He fluffed the pillow and curled into the one dry spot.

He rested on his back for quite some time, remembering Merlin's tear-stained face, his head elevated on his lap. Arthur thought about cupping his cheek, brushing the tears away. But, where had he been? Uther had been right. Warlocks weren't to be trusted.

He felt the pang again.

Five-thirty. Arthur was never known to wake up early, his fist looking for the annoying beep that kept going off. It wasn't like a bird he had heard before. Maybe it was some kind of demon. But, most of those would try to sound bird-like.

He opened one eye, staring at the glow. He felt his heart pounding, lifting himself up to see what this beast was about. He clambered to the other side of the bed, his brow furrowing. Snooze? Off? He searched Henry's brain rather than his own, becoming annoyed with how much had changed and slid it to the off side of the spectrum. He hated that he'd have to use Henry's brain just to navigate. But, things hadn't been the same since his second incarnation.

He sighed, going through Henry's mind for the day. It was the right tactic yet, he didn't know what these words were. Football? School? Driving? Student Council? Hospital?

Not wanting a repeat of the World War Two situation, he tapped into the muscle memory. At least he could get dressed without having to ask another private… Or, to Henry's chagrin, Richard. The hoodie felt weird on his bare skin. The pants felt constricting. It was nothing like his tunics.

Muscle memory seemed to assist him with most of the morning. He wasn't sure about the black liquid in, what he knew now, the coffee pot. It would be a long learning experience.

"Morning. How are you feeling?" Richard asked, setting a mug down, holding a printed scroll in his hand. Newspaper, Arthur corrected.

"Better."

"Practice this morning?"

"Yes." Arthur still wasn't sure how to play football.

"If you're ready, I'll drive you, today."

"What about work?"

Richard seemed puzzled. "You know I don't work until later this evening. But, I do have to run to the clinic."

Arthur, confused, summoned Henry. The soul seemed to be in a great mood, probably laughing at how much Arthur didn't know. Together, they concluded that Arthur should pretend to be out of it so no one would expect much of him. Richard waved his hand in dismissal. "You seeing Andy this weekend?"

"I… Don't know." He stared at the plate, barely touching anything but the bacon. It's too early.

"Henry…" Richard leaned forward. "Is something the matter with you two? Did he force you into –"

"No." He perfected his apology smile long ago. "I'm just… not here."

It wasn't exactly a lie. Richard perched his lips. "Do you want to skip today?"

Arthur shook his head. "I'm just going to take it easy today."

"Fair. One day won't hurt anything." Still, the concern. Arthur felt like he was already breaking his pledges.

Football, as it turned out, had to do with a ball that you kicked across the field and into a net. Henry – now Arthur – was center midfield and captain. Arthur let others go first, learning the basics. Still, he managed the drills easily enough. It was no different than learning to fight. He picked it up quickly enough though, still didn't understand why everyone would run after the ball if they could just boot it. It took him a while to understand that, while they had a team, there was another who had a team to block them.

Covered in sweat, Arthur let the water cleanse him, pinching the bridge of his nose. There had been a time when he had drowned. But, he couldn't remember when. Not yet.

"Good job, Henry!" One of his teammates that reminded him of Leon, mentioned. Arthur smiled and nodded once, finally dressed again. He walked past someone, pulling out Henry's cell phone. Technology, he understood. Click an icon, open an app. He liked texting more than talking to people. It was somewhat surreal to remember he gave speeches daily.

"Babe." Arthur stopped in his tracts, confused about the butterflies in his stomach. They were soon covered by a hand on his waist, a kiss on his cheek. Arthur forced a smile, waiting for the name to click.

"Hey…" Andy! Was the desperate thought. Arthur flinched. "Andy."

"What, new boyfriend?" The other male was a few inches taller than him with sparkling hazel eyes, pale complexion and fine brown hair. He had forced his plush lips into a pout and a fake glare.

"Sorry. I've been out of it since this morning." Arthur assured. Tell my boyfriend I love him. Arthur furrowed a brow. This was going to be something Henry and he had to discuss. Still, he wrapped his arms around Andy's waist, resting his chin on his shoulder. "Forgive me?"

"Thought you were against PDA." Andy teased, reciprocating the hug. "We still on for this weekend?"

"Unknown." Arthur answered. Again, the bolt of energy that was high. Yeah, yeah, it's something to discuss.

Andy's face fell momentarily, the soft smile returning with the butterflies. "Let me know?"

"As soon as possible." Arthur agreed, unwinding himself. The stink of disgust clung to him. How many times had he played the role for the sake of someone's beloved? He was pretty sure he had fathered at least three children – all for the sake of the people he took control of. It didn't make it better.

School was hard. That was the conclusion Arthur came to. Math, he could understand. PE, fine. Everything else? He shook his head furiously, staring blankly at the words. During the last fifteen minutes of the last class, he summoned Henry again, asking about the homework questions. Henry buzzed his brain again, still mad. Arthur sighed. What would you like me to do? Henry glowered about it. Think it over and help me survive the day. I'll meet you in sleep and we'll discuss.

A/N: Finally done. It's going to be a hella weird time for Arthur.