That Ship Has Sailed

Merlin & Arthur IV

Hours of riding through the dark night turned up nothing. Dejected, Arthur returned to the stables. Once there, he heard noises coming from one of the stalls. Then, the steady voice of Merlin as he spoke to Gwaine.

Arthur jumped off his horse and ran to Gwaine's stall, seeing Merlin standing there, brushing his horse and petting him gently.

"Merlin!" Arthur shouted. Gwaine was as startled as Merlin and reared up, almost hitting Merlin in the face. "I'm sorry," Arthur quickly said, pulling Merlin out of the stall and closing the door. He continued saying he was sorry until Merlin pushed him away.

"Stop!" Merlin demanded. He opened the stall door and calmed Gwaine, giving him extra oats before throwing a blanket over him and exiting, locking the stall behind him. He then ignored Arthur and began leading his horse into it's stall.

"Merlin--" Arthur said, "Don't do that. Merlin, I've been looking for you for hours. I was worried sick--"

"Oh, so now you're worried about me?" Merlin snapped, "Well, you can save it. You left. You left me! You don't get to come back and pretend you cared all along!"

Arthur turned and punched a wall, "Dammit! Listen to me!"

Merlin was startled, but he shut his mouth and stopped moving.

"I went to New York to sign the divorce papers that my wife mailed me yesterday. I wanted to tell her to her face the reason I was signing them. Then, I went to my parents and told them the truth."

"Good for you. You stood up to your parents and you get to keep the house. Glad I'm not out of the job."

"No, Merlin. I don't want you to work for me anymore. I want--"

"Great. I was thinking of leaving anyway," Merlin said quickly, bringing Arthur's horse into it's stall. Arthur sighed and punched the wall again.

"Why am I so bad at this? Now I know why my wife left me and why you hate me right now..."

Merlin was intreguied at this statement, so he didn't say anything.

Arthur paced the stables as Merlin put the tack away and brushed the horse down. When he finished, he started to leave, but Arthur stopped him by grabbing his arm.

"Stop," Arthur said.

"Why? I don't work here anymore. I've got no reason to stay. Congratulations on leaving your wife and sticking up for yourself with your parents. I'll be packed by morn-"

"You're not leaving," Arthur said, "I know why she left me. She wanted things I couldn't give."

Merlin remained silent, the only sounds being the horses settling for the night.

"She wanted me to tell her I loved her. She wanted me to leave here and live in the city. I couldn't do anything she wanted because I realize I don't love her and I never want to leave this place."

"Congratul--"

"Stop it, Merlin. Just. Stop. I'm trying to tell you that I want you to live here with me. I want to wake up next to you every morning. I want to kiss you whenever and wherever I want. You're fired because I want to be with you, not have you work for me."

Merlin was stunned. He didn't move at first.

"I'm not good at things like this, but I hope you'll give me a chance," Arthur said, "I love you, Merlin."

Merlin took a shaky breath.

"Believe it. It's true. I love you and we're going to live here together and breed horses, just like you always wanted."

Merlin was overwhelmed so much that his eyes filled with tears. Arthur let go of him, not wanting to make him uncomfortable. He stood, watching Merlin's expression as Merlin stared back at him, his eyes filled with tears and his jaw tensed.

Merlin nodded slowly, "You're right. You are bad at this."

Arthur chuckled and scratched his head, nodding, "I know."

Merlin paused a moment longer then walked forward and wrapped his arms around Arthur. Arthur let out a sigh of relief and wrapped his tightly around Merlin. Each buried their face in the other's shoulder.

"I'm still mad at you," Merlin mumbled.

"I know. You have every right to be. For what it's worth, I'm sorry."

"I know," Merlin said. He paused, then said, "I love you."

Arthur felt butterflies in his stomach when he heard Merlin's words. He held him tigher and said, "I love you, too."

Arthur pulled his head away and looked at Merlin. Merlin looked back, his eyes still wet. Arthur rested his forehead against Merlin's and looked at him, "I'm never leaving you again. I love you, Merlin."

"I love you too, Arthur," Merlin whispered, nodding his head slightly.

"I'm going to kiss you now," Arthur said, "And I'm not going to stop--"

Merlin beat him to it, crashing his lips against Arthur's. He pushed him against a stall door and kissed him, moving his head to taste every inch of Arthur's face. Arthur closed his eyes and pulled Merlin closer.

Arthur felt the kisses all over his face and neck, but fought to move so he could catch Merlin's lips against his own again. Merlin paused, looking at Arthur.

"I love you."

"I love you, too," Arthur said, leaning his head forward to press his lips against Merlin's once more. He pulled away and looked at him, "We should go in. Mabel and Lindsay have food waiting for us."

Merlin nodded, letting go of Arthur's hands and walked toward the door. Arthur hurried to catch Merlin's hand.

"Remember," Arthur said, "We don't have to hide anymore."

Merlin now smiled and kissed Arthur's head once more as they walked back into the house, hand in hand.

Once back inside, Lindsay and Mabel stood from the table, hurrying to hug Merlin.

"We were so worried!"

Merlin nodded, "I know. I'm sorry."

"Don't ever scare us like that again, Merlin!" Mabel said firmly.

"I won't. I promise I won't."

"Sit and eat. It's been a long day."

Merlin sat and Arthur sat beside him. He paused and said, "Before we eat, I want to apologize again for how I've treated all of you recently. I'm done hiding, and I'm done being afraid. I love you all and as long as I'm alive, you two will have jobs here."

Mabel and Lindsay smiled.

"What about Merlin?" Lindsay asked.

Arthur looked at Merlin, "He and I are going to be working together from now on."

"Finally," Mabel said with a smile.

Then, for the first time ever, Arthur kissed Merlin without caring who was watching or trying to hide it. This, beyond anything made Merlin the happiest of all.