Merthur/Merlin one shot

Selective mutism

The person he loved was mute and he could see that Merlin was not well mentally and sickly pale, thin, and Arthur could see that the other had not slept well in a very long time.

Arthur was unsure what had caused this. It might be his death or there might have been other causes that caused this but Merlin was silent. There was this dead look and worse was that he could tell that whatever had happened, broke the other.

Gwaine lived with the other and Merlin looked scared of everything, even his shadow. The male could not live on his own or else he might cause serious harm to himself. This was unexpected and he was not knowing what caused this. The talk with Gwaine made him know that Merlin went through horrifying things.

Witch haunts, that killed countless innocent people. A reminder of what his father had done and it was why he had at first felt hurt and wary of Merlin having magic. But the further they moved to their destination the more he knew that the male would never harm him intentional. It was why he accept the other having this.

This was not all that Merlin saw, illnesses that ravaged the land and killing countless innocent people. How he knew his best friend, the other would for sure feel guilty about him not being able to stop this. Not that it was his fault, but he knew that the other had been alone for sure without Gwaine.

Then he seen countless wars in the times that his crush lived. The many lives that were lost made it for sure a toll on the others mentality. But this was not the worst out of this, Merlin had been forced to fight in these wars each time. It was just Merlin's luck that he ended up being found and send to war.

Gwaine told him this as he had been the one person that Merlin trusted and because of the other not being able to get one tone out. Sometimes the other had explained that Merlin could not even talk to Gwaine.

The male thought that he would finally make Merlin get better.

.

.

.

"Hey." His voice was soft as he entered the room that Merlin was working right now.

The place made it possible for people with mental issues, PTSD and other ailments to work there. Merlin was painting on something abstract and these paintings getting sold and the money was given to both the person making things like this.

This place lived of donations that were given by buying the things that are made there. It was a win-win situation for everyone. It helped the people there.

"Thought I visit you at work." His voice cut through the silence again as Merlin seemed to enjoy his talking.

Even though the other had yet to talk. Merlin might not talk but he does make noises whenever he was listening there were hummings. There are as well sometimes soft tunes of noises that made a melody out.

The male even had to go to a mind physician (he knows that it's called differently but he couldn't remember what Gwaine called it) to help Merlin cope better. It was a slow process and the only reason why Merlin agreed was because of him telling him straight that he needs this. The mind needs as healing as the body and Merlin looked at him with blank expression and nodding, as leaving the room. Gwaine thanked him and explaining that he had tried to make Merlin go but it was him that changed Merlin's mind.

A grumble was heard by Merlin and he smiled slightly as sitting down.

"Looks good." It looked not just good but really amazing. The flush on the other's cheeks and the embarrassed noise made him coo.

"I mean it, the painting looks really good and you look even better." It was something that the therapist explained to both him and Gwaine that they should give positive affirmation.

This was something that Merlin agreed on after him asking how to help the other. The male was overwhelmed not knowing how to explain and since then, the Therapist told them the process they made.

"Don't be shy about this now. Told you, painting would bring out your talent." He knew that Merlin had not just a creativeness in him but was as well good with plants and animals. This was probably because of Merlin being magic and he draws animals to him.

Stop teasing me, Arthur It was how Merlin communicated with him, writing the things he wanted to say down. They would go with sign language but it was not working yet with him just learning to sign.

"Remember the therapist said that we should give positive affirmation and am not teasing you." He exclaimed making the other huff out and pouting.

Merlin was even without him writing on the paper readable. It was how he knew what the other was feeling, usually. The only times that he could not read Merlin well was when he pushed all of the emotions on his face and looking blank. Even the eyes held no emotions and it was startling when he first seen it. Even now after three months being with Merlin he felt the concern towards his crush.

"How about adding more brighter color. The painting would look even better with them." He suggested and Merlin looked first at the picture and then for a moment at him.

"You don't need to when you don't want to." He added as seeing Merlin looking stressed out.

I mean, I could but... well... It was clear to him that his crush was not knowing to articulate himself and this made him feel bad.

"Don't force yourself." He softly reassured and Merlin pressed his lips together before turning his attention back to the painting.

The end product was making gasp. It as gorgeous. The blue was a stark contrast to the grey, white and black colors. It might not be that bright but this was a huge process and that Merlin added color showed him that he was seeing not everything bad.

(I found this, this is not made by myself, but thought it was fitting for what Merlin would paint)

"Wow, this is amazing Merls." His voice was breathless and he had to tell this to Merlin.

The praised male was ducking his head at the praise and flushing in a deep red. It made him smile softly as giving Merlin a soft look at this.

"T-T-Thanks..." The soft, timid rasped voice of Merlin made him blink a few times.

It was almost missed with how quiet it was told, but he heard it. This gave him hope to see that Merlin gets better. It was probably why in his relief he pulled the male into a hug -in which his crush let out a squeak- and giving him a kiss on his temples, that made Merlin have an even deeper red.

"I love you Merlin, never doubt how amazing you are." He blurted out and the male stared widely at him.

"Oh..." The tone sounded surprise and Arthur could not blame the other. He had never told this to Merlin after all. What surprised him was the soft lips on his cheek, at the same spot that he had Merlin kissed. This was all that was needed for him to know that the other was feeling the same way. Let's Just say Gwaine was ecstatic to hear that they were loving each other.