Chapter Text
Hundreds of years have passed since Merlin had to watch the life slip out of his friend, the one he was supposed to protect and make sure became the greatest King Camelot would have ever known, but he failed. It is a failure he has had to live with most of his life now. As the years went on, he hoped he would be able to grow old and die like those around him, but as the strings of fate would have it, he was immortal and could never seem to actually grow old. He kept his old form for many years before he finally gave up on waiting for Arthur. He felt as though Kilgharrah had lied to him, probably so he could let Arthur go, but that obviously hadn't happened. He hit rock bottom, but slowly as the years continued to go on, he found himself finally able to let go.
With Covid hitting a couple of years prior, prices on everything rose and he found his job at the Huddersfield Library wasn't making enough for him to keep paying for his 2 bedroom apartment. He used the second room as his own little library, having a few things from when he was Arthur's servant in there as well. Including the sigil that Arthur had given him. He kept it in a jewelry box on one of the shelves, along with some of the old books he had from them. His rent was going to rise at the beginning of next year when his lease renews. Instead of moving again, he decided he would look for a new roommate, and he let the landlord know that he wanted a roommate. The landlord, Miss White, understood and decided to put the ads out for him so he wouldn't have to worry about it. As grateful as he was that she was handling it, he was worried about who she would end up picking. With the ad now out for a roommate search, Merlin began to clear out the second room. Apartments go fast, so he was certain he'd have a roommate in no time.
The smaller bookshelf he had in the room was moved to his room, making sure to keep the sigil on the top, not wanting to risk it being stolen or anything. The rest of the books got moved to the living room, rearranging the place so his tv was in the middle of the wall, the two taller shelves next to it, the bottom of the one on the right having his DVDs on it. Afterward, he got dressed and headed off to work. The bussing streets always helped get his mind off the past and just keep moving forward, and he enjoyed that he was able to do so. The library was also his favorite place to stay, as they had magic books that he was learning. Of course, in this day and age, magic wasn't a thing. To most people, it was just some fairy tale thing writers made up to make their own stories more interesting. Merlin was around when the witch trials were a thing, and it broke his heart to know a lot of the women killed were innocent. Thankfully, those women all had a memorial set up and he felt more at ease now that most agree magic wasn't real. As he got to the library, he started his normal workday routine of putting books back where they go, checking people out, and spending his free time skimming over old books he finds in the archives.
A few days went by, and as the summer was coming to an end, the shift in the air was becoming more noticeable. Cooler mornings were beginning and Merlin was happy to be able to sit on his balcony with some tea and read a book in the morning and evenings. For now, however, he had another work day ahead of him. He got dressed in some dark brown pants that almost matched the color of his brown boots. having the laces loosely tied. A blue, long-sleeved shirt was tucked into his pants that were held up by a belt. He tied a red bandana to his neck, one he would pull up over his face when people with masks on would come by to shop. When he wasn't wearing it, it hung around his neck like he used to have it back when he was Arthur's servant. With one last glance into his apartment, he headed out the door and off to work. Catching the trolly just in time. He could walk, but he decided to ride today since he was running a bit late. He knew he shouldn't have stayed up so late last night reading, but he wanted to finish his book.
"Mornin', Rosey."
"Good morning, Merlin. Had enough sleep?"
"Hardly, the book you recommended to me was just too good to put down."
"It is a very good one. I'm surprised you hadn't heard of it, seeing as it's your name as the title. That T.A. Barron is an excellent author."
"Yeah.." Merlin felt his heart tighten. Stories of him, his true name. Emrys, just brought back bad memories. However, he did enjoy the book that Rose had recommended to him. He never went out of his way to find one that would bring back memories of him and Arthur, but Rose really wanted him to read the book. He couldn't say no, and it was worth the read.
After the long day of putting books back where they go and organizing the shelves better, Merlin was finally able to leave. Bidding Rose a farewell as she locked the doors, he headed on home. The sun setting on the horizon, illuminating the streets in a warm, orange glow. When he arrived home, the first thing he noticed was the moving truck that was just starting to leave. The second thing he noticed when he stopped outside his door was noises coming from inside. Someone was talking, no, two people. He wondered if he should prepare himself, but before he could even open the front door, Miss White did.
"I'll be see-- Oh, speak of the devil, hello, Merlin. I found you a new roommate, he's getting himself settled in."
"New.. Oh, right. Yes, thank you."
"He's quite the charmer. I like him." She laughed gently, the wrinkles on her face scrunching in joy as she walked off.
Merlin watched her leave before he finally stepped into his apartment, tossing his house keys into the bowl that sat on one of the smaller shelves he had by the door. Mostly just for decoration, with a house plant sitting on it as well to make it look less barren. When he finally turned to meet his new roommate he felt as though time turned still. There, in front of him, stood the man he had waited years to see again.
"Arthur.." It came as a whisper.
"Ah, yes. Hello, I'm going to be your new roommate.I guess Miss White already told you my name, but it's Arthur Pendragon." The blond man said as he walked over, offering Merlin his hand to shake.
"..." Merlin could do nothing but stare at first, gulping as he finally gathered himself. "Right, yes. Merlin." He said as he shook his hand, seeming to hold on a few seconds longer than he meant to. It didn't seem like Arthur was going to let go either, though.
"Do I know you?"
"What?" Merlin blinked.
"I just.. feel like we've met somewhere."
It took Merlin a few seconds to finally think of something to say, releasing Arthur's hand finally. "I get that a lot, actually. I'm around town a lot, so maybe you've seen me there."
"Maybe.. Uh, anyways, I assumed the empty room was mine then?"
"Oh, yes. I moved all my books out of there a few days ago in preparation for...you." He found himself unable to look away.
"Right... You know, there's something about you, Merlin. I can't put my finger on it."Arthur said as he shook his head a bit and went back to unpacking.
"Yeah.. you too." He said sheepishly before deciding to go off to his own room.
When he got to his room, he immediately shut the door and leaned against it. Feeling he was going to fall, he slid down the door as the tears finally began to form, thinking of his second meeting with Arthur, many years ago, when he said the same thing to him. His heart felt like it was breaking all over again.
"Merlin?" The familiar voice called out, and it was all Merlin could do to steady himself and get ready to go back out and face his new, yet old, roommate.