Merlin hesitated outside the royal chambers, breakfast tray clutched in his hands. Though Arthur hadn't said anything the previous day there was no way he would let it go completely. He took a deep breath and willed the anxiety out of his face before pushing the door open.
Arthur was already at his desk and didn't look up, focused on whatever documents he was reviewing.
Good; maybe he'd be able to escape before the conversation started.
"So, Balinor."
Merlin's whole body flinched and the dishes rattled until he dropped the tray onto the table. At least he'd been close enough that nothing spilled. His mouth opened but he couldn't form any words.
Arthur still hadn't looked up but he continued speaking.
"We could still fix that, you know, but if we leave it too long he'll keep calling you that even if we try to correct him." …show more content…
"I went along with it since you said you didn't want me to interfere, but it clearly makes you uncomfortable – not that that isn't understandable. I was shocked myself by how much Gaius talks about... certain things now but you have to remember that he's living in a different time. It has..." Arthur's head bowed even further, "it has made me miss my father- a part of him I never knew."
Merlin tried to swallow the lump that appeared in his throat. He hoped Arthur would continue but he was clearly waiting for Merlin to respond in some way.
"I, em.. n-no. It's... nice, in a way - to see how they were back then. It may be different, but I want to be able to enjoy my time with him. I want him to enjoy seeing me."
It felt so final when he said it that way and he felt a pang in his chest. But the fact of the matter was that Gaius' time was likely short, even if this disease wasn't deadly.
Arthur's head bobbed but he still didn't look up.
"You're dismissed then; Alice requested your assistance
Arthur was already at his desk and didn't look up, focused on whatever documents he was reviewing.
Good; maybe he'd be able to escape before the conversation started.
"So, Balinor."
Merlin's whole body flinched and the dishes rattled until he dropped the tray onto the table. At least he'd been close enough that nothing spilled. His mouth opened but he couldn't form any words.
Arthur still hadn't looked up but he continued speaking.
"We could still fix that, you know, but if we leave it too long he'll keep calling you that even if we try to correct him." …show more content…
"I went along with it since you said you didn't want me to interfere, but it clearly makes you uncomfortable – not that that isn't understandable. I was shocked myself by how much Gaius talks about... certain things now but you have to remember that he's living in a different time. It has..." Arthur's head bowed even further, "it has made me miss my father- a part of him I never knew."
Merlin tried to swallow the lump that appeared in his throat. He hoped Arthur would continue but he was clearly waiting for Merlin to respond in some way.
"I, em.. n-no. It's... nice, in a way - to see how they were back then. It may be different, but I want to be able to enjoy my time with him. I want him to enjoy seeing me."
It felt so final when he said it that way and he felt a pang in his chest. But the fact of the matter was that Gaius' time was likely short, even if this disease wasn't deadly.
Arthur's head bobbed but he still didn't look up.
"You're dismissed then; Alice requested your assistance