Chapter Text
Arthur was very confused.
People didn’t just come back from the dead randomly 1500 years later. As far as he could tell there was no war to fight, no impossible evil to subdue, yet… he was back.
Merlin had said he came back because the Albion needed him but how could he save a world that was so bloody different to his own? He’d only been back a few hours and had already been overcome by this stupid thing that Merlin called a “car”. It was taking far too much effort for Arthur not to throw up all over it.
“Eh.. are you okay?”
“Perfectly fine,” Arthur gritted out. “How the fuck do you even know how to control one of these things anyway?” It had been bothering Arthur how relaxed Merlin seemed to be. He didn’t balk at lamp posts and buildings the way Arthur did. Destiny or some other force that insisted on messing with their lives must have brought Merlin back before Arthur to make sure he could properly serve him.
“Em I took a test?” Merlin said, confused.
“Gods you’ve been back that long?” Arthur said startled by the thought of his best friend being stuck in this strange world by himself.
Arthur wondered why Merlin would ever bother learning to operate one of these machines. Surely horses were still used. As quick as these machines were, nothing could beat LIamrei. Plus Merlin’s car was kinda stuffy.
“Arthur… I wasn't brought back” Merlin whispered, his voice hoarse. Arthur lifted his head to stare at Merlin, trying to figure out what he meant. His old friend looked different. His ears still stuck out and his hair was just as messy as always, but… the way he held himself was different. Arthur had noticed it when he first saw Merlin running at him after he crawled out of the lake. His friend looked sad.
“What do you mean?” Arthur stuttered out. “You must have been reincarnated, otherwise you’d have died centuries ago.” Merlin winced he didn’t take his eyes off the road, but Arthur wished he would just look at him so he would have a better chance to understand what his dearest friend meant.”I guess my magic kept me alive” he said with an awkward laugh
. Arthur’s stomach flipped. “No way.” He said a little too loud. He felt sick in a way that had nothing to do with the stupid choice of transport
. Merlin sighed “look, can we not do this when i’m driving? I’ll answer all your questions later.” Merlin smiled at Arthur the way he smiled at one of Gaius’ Patients that was being unreasonable.
Arthur ducked his head and swallowed all the questions bubbling in his throat.
“Okay"
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Merlin’s house wasn’t what he was expecting. He hadn’t really thought about it, but when Merlin stopped his metal box in front of a small yellow house he was surprised.
There was ivy growing up the walls and the garden was overgrown but Arthur was relieved to see nature thriving. He felt everywhere he looked in this time nature was being squashed back and replaced with concrete.
Merlin fumbled with his keys and Arthur wondered for the first time if he was intruding, Like he had on Gwen when he had taken her bed just because he had wanted to prove he deserved to win a stupid tournament.
Merlin was definitely nervous, his hands shook as he unlocked the door. “Well this is it” Merlin held the door open for Arthur before closing it behind them. Merlin quickly turned from him.
“ You hungry? I kinda suck at cooking but I can order us something.”
“Uh.. sure” He stammered. Did Merlin have servants that would cook for him?
Merlin gave him a tight smile that didn’t reach his eyes, then he was fiddling with a strange rectangular box that glowed. Arthur tried not to let his discomfort with this strange magic show.
“Can we talk first?” Gods there was so much he was confused on, why were buildings so ugly? Why did people stop using horses? Why were they all so okay with sorcery being used to light the streets? But, the most important thing on his mind was what happened to Merlin.
He reached out to Merlin, his hand resting on his shoulder. Merlin was dressed in a soft dark blue jacket that felt very pleasant under his fingers.
Finally Merlin met his eyes. Arthur hated the amount of pain he found in them. Before he could think it through his hand had hooked around Merlin’s shoulder and pulled him flush against his chest.
Merlin breathed in sharply, his own hands came to awkwardly grasp at Arthur’s forearms. Arthur kept his arms around Merlin’s shoulders till he relaxed into the hold.
“ What are you doing?” he whispered. Arthur could feel the vibrations of his words from where their chests were pressed together.
“Missed you.” He mumbled against where his head was pressed against Merlin’s neck. He smelled like he did in Camelot, faintly of herbs. “Thought it felt like yesterday that you died.” Merlin said quietly.
He seemed to realise that Arthur needed this hug too as his arms finally made a circle around his middle. Arthur loved being held, but growing up a prince it hadn’t been proper. On the rare occasion he was hugged he savoured it.
“Yeah.. but I feel like I haven't seen you in ages.” Arthur whispered back. This startled a laugh out of Merlin and the next thing Arthur knew Merlin was sobbing into his shoulder.
“Gods Arthur, I'm sorry.” Merlin croaked, he was trying to pull out of Arthur’s arms, but Arthur dragged him back in tight. “Hey you’re alright.” Arthur was trying to use his calm voice but he had never been good at comforting people with his words.
Instead he clung to Merlin tight and rubbed a soothing thumb to the skin right below his hairline.” I've got you.”
Merlin melted into his hold and Arthur felt his own tears sting his eyes.
Arthur had no idea how long they stayed in this strange room, in this unfamiliar house but once they pulled apart he felt a little less terrified of all the things he did not know. Despite losing so much he still had Merlin.