Something Wonderful (Merlin x F! Reader) (Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarves)

Chapter Six

Hey guys!
Check out these poorly made Merlin edits I made the other day lol:

https://www.tiktok.com/@heliumnoodle/video/6933355633425009925?lang=en&is_copy_url=0&is_from_webapp=v2&sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=6893683244479645189

https://www.tiktok.com/@heliumnoodle/video/6931962302807756038?lang=en&is_copy_url=0&is_from_webapp=v2&sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=6893683244479645189

MERLIN'S POV
"What're you looking for, Hans?"
I exited the house, greeted by the bright, warm morning sun, and saw (y/n) sitting under the tree in the front yard with her sketchbook. She was talking to Hans, who looked perplexed.
"I could have sworn that I left three targets out last night, but there's only two here..."
"Huh, that's odd. The one I was working on is missing," she shrugged, then smirked. "Maybe my magic is to make things disappear," she joked.
I walked over to the tree where she perched, stuffing my hands in my coat pockets and leaning against the tree. I looked down at her sketchbook, and saw that she was drawing another map. This one looked like it was near Rapunzel, since the beautiful tower she once lived in was sketched in the background, vines overgrowing through the stone.
"Hey," I looked down at her, and she tilted her head to acknowledge my presence, but continued her sketch.
"What's up?" she spoke.
"I've been thinking... since the king doesn't see you as a threat anymore and has probably lifted any lookout for you.."
This seemed to catch her attention, because I saw her ears twitch. She looked up at me.
Once again my own eyes met with those beautiful, (e/c) eyes. They were brighter and more lively than I had ever seen them before. It caught me off guard, and I was left staring at her. My senses went weak, and I couldn't help but smile. I can't imagine how goofy I looked, especially taking into account (Y/n)'s next words:
"Merlin? Hello?"
My eyes shot open and I adjusted my posture, then recomposed myself, clearing my throat.
"Right. Anyways," I continued. "I figured that since you're almost in the clear, we could start planning missions of...eight?"
Her previously confused look morphed into a surprised and excited expression, causing my heart to warm.
"REALLY?!!" (y/n) stood up, letting the pages on her lap fall to the ground, then her face fell. "You're not joking, are you? Please tell me this isn't a prank."
"Nope. I talked about it with the others last night, we agreed that you'd make a great asset to the team." I crossed my arms and leaned up against the tree once more. "Physically and cartography-wise."
Her smile returned, and before I could even process what her expression read I was pulled into a warm embrace.
I couldn't move. I felt paralyzed.
(Y/N) was hugging me.
I let out a breath that I didn't even know I was holding and finally mustered up the strength to wrap my arms around her torso to return the gesture.
(Y/n) pulled away and held my arms in her grip, the smile she wore not losing a bit of its clarity.
"Thank you, Merlin."
She then ran over to the front of the yard, where Kio had just exited the house. She grabbed his hands, spinning him around, then letting go and spinning by herself.
Almost as if it were magic, the pages she had dropped from her lap blew over to (y/n) in the wind, and it almost seemed as if they spun in circles around her.
This behavior of hers made it seem like she had just been released from a lifetime in chains, and the shackles had been unlocked, setting her free.
She looked happy. She deserved it. And it made my heart full.

(Y/N)'s POV
Finally. After almost eighteen years I was actually going to do good for people.
I had been running in circles around the world, barely surviving or making a difference, and now I'm going to help people.
I couldn't believe that Merlin had taken the time and thought to even consider letting me work with the Fearless 7, let alone actually let me.
Dinner that night felt special. It wasn't just me imposing anymore. It was now a team dinner, with my new teammates, celebrating my new title and role in life: team cartographer and official combat member.
Hans passed around our dishes for dinner, and as he made it to the last plate on the table, everyone's eyes shot up to me.
At first I didn't notice; I was too busy shoveling food into my mouth. But as soon as I felt the seven pairs of eyes on me, I slowed down and looked up, food nearly falling from my lips.
"Wot...?" I spoke through chewed food. Jack looked slightly disgusted, and Hans looked worried at the sight of his food not being savored. But laughter from my right side made me feel less pressure that I was doing something wrong.
Merlin's laughter faded, and as I swallowed my food as I felt gentle fingers against my chin. I was slowly met with Merlin's eyes, and his touch moved from my chin to hold my hands.
"We got you something," he smiled sweetly, and I felt my heart melt at the gesture and his husky voice. He turned around and grabbed a brown paper package, still managing to keep hold of one of my hands. Then he turned my way and moved the hand he was holding on top of the gift, slipping his warm touch away from my fingers.
I took a deep breath as I realized: this was the only gift I had ever been given in my life.
My heart sunk, then looked at everyone at the table.
"I just... wanted to say.." I began to speak. "Thank you. Before I met you guys I was a criminal. I was someone I didn't want to be. But.."
I looked over at Merlin. My heart began to beat faster as his smile returned.
"You helped me. You helped me become someone I wanted to be. I like myself now. I love who I am."
Although I meant to direct it towards everyone, my words seemed to make more sense when Merlin was the subject.
"What are you waiting for?" Arthur's voice broke my trance and we all looked over to him. "Open it! I wanna see your face when you see what it is!"
We all laughed, then I took a deep breath. I slipped my fingers underneath the fold in the paper, and I lifted.
The paper fell to the ground as my hands wrapped around the beautiful gift.
A compass.
"Our home is North,"
I looked over at Jack, who sighed slightly, then curled his lips into a smile.
"If you ever feel lost, or need to find your way to somewhere safe, go North," he continued. "Then you'll be home."
I was holding back tears, choking to keep them in. Everyone chuckled, and I smiled through them.
"Stop it, I'm sensitive!" I defended, then relaxed as everyone walked over, bringing me into an eight person hug.
~*~
As everyone made their way to their rooms for bed, I made my way to the kitchen to do the dishes. It was the least I could do to thank the boys for their hospitality. Plus, they never did the dishes the right way.
I may have been homeless most of my life, but I'm not a slob.
"You know you don't have to do that,"
I turned at the sound of Merlin's voice, and saw him at the doorway of the kitchen. He waltzed over, leaning next to the tub of dishes and watching me intently.
"I don't," I agreed. "But I want to. Plus, if I'm going to live here from now on I want to eat off of clean dishes." I moved the dish I was washing from my right hand to my left, reaching over and tapping Merlin's nose. He scoffed as the soap bubbles stuck to his nose. Before I knew it I saw his hand scoop into the white bubbles and gently, yet effectively smacked me in my face.
I gasped, jumping back in surprise and wiping my hands on the apron I donned so I could do the dishes. I untied it, letting it drop to the floor.
"Oh, it is on!" I declared, grabbing a handful of bubbles myself and throwing them his way. He laughed, and soon enough we were covered in soap. I laughed and went to throw another handful of bubbles, but I felt my foot slip under me. I looked down and saw the apron I had dropped just moments before go with my foot.
Oh no.
I braced myself for impact with the floor, but felt my body stop in midair. I opened an eye and saw Merlin hover above me, his warm arms wrapped around me to prevent my body from hitting the floor.
Our eyes bore into what seemed to be each others' souls. It felt as if time froze.
I finally spoke up; "Heh, thank yo-"
Before I had a chance to really break the silence, soft lips crashed into mine. I felt my heartbeat skyrocket, and as soon as my eyes widened they closed. I melted into Merlin's kiss, wrapping my arms around his neck.
He lifted me to stand, tightening his safe arms around my body and crushing me against his thin frame, deepening the kiss.
We finally had to depart for air. It seemed like the kiss didn't last long enough, but our heaving breaths said otherwise. I looked into his eyes and blinked. He laughed, his beautiful voice like music to my ears.
"Well," he purred, taking my hands into his. "That was long overdue, I think."
"I'd have to agree with you there," I giggled, then closed my eyes as he tilted my head down, kissing the top of my head.
"We should get to bed. Your first mission is tomorrow."
I nodded and watched him walk away. As soon as he left my vision I cleaned up, hanging the apron up and taking care of any soap on the ground. Then I reached into my pockets, feeling the compass against my fingers.
I pulled it out slowly, brushing my thumb against the back. I felt something grainy, and I turned the compass over.
My eyes widened as I read the engraving:

They say home is where the heart is...
No wonder I always feel at home when I'm with you.

Merlin.