Merthur/Merlin one shot

Another kidnapping 3

Arthur eyes glanced from time to time at Merlin and put the child safety as well in his car. It was a precaution knowing that the mentioned male could try to open the door. The entire way was quiet, and the raven-haired male looked with interest outside of the car.

"Here we are."

He parked the car and then unlocking the door of Merlin. The male turned his head now to him and he nodded. Both stepped out and he locked the door right afterward. As soon as he was outside, Merlin went over to him and looked at him with anxious expression.

This was something new to him and this was why he put an arm around the other person shoulder and smiling reassuring at him. The male leaned once again into the touch and they started to walk inside of the building.

Arthur had always eyed the male and was sure to intervene before he would trip. It was the usual and it reminded him once again on the teen Merlin. As it was something that made the male endearing and he always found it an adorable trait of his. They entered now a room and he walked up to the reception and giving the female a blinding smile.

"I have an appointment for Merlin."

There was some typing heard and they were led to a room. It was agreed that they wouldn't have to wait at the waiting room but at a different room. Merlin wasn't fond of people and always was hiding behind him. The only one he was not fearing right now were Gaius, Morgana, Gwaine and him. This was because even when he doesn't remember much, he still felt the familiarity with the three people.

Merlin hadn't remembered him, but he felt the most comfortable with him. That comfortable that he was the only one who he talked to. That would be an issue with the therapist and that was why he would be at the first few sessions. Just so that he could help out and make Merlin have some familiarity. Maybe that was why he agreed. They both were sitting right now at one of the chairs and waiting.

By now Merlin started to doodle again and he smiled softly as he saw at least for once something happy. It was a drawing of a lawn with some flowers. Yes it was still in black and white but it was an improvement and it looked genuine good.

"Good day. I am Lancelot."

His head turned now to the male with a friendly smile. Merlin jumped up slightly and looked startled now towards the direction. He squeezed the shoulder reassuring and Merlin relaxed into the touch again.

"Sorry about Merlin. Like I mentioned in the phone he isn't talking to other people. Even with me its difficult. Sometimes he doesn't talk and shuts off."

Lancelot nodded, as giving his own friendly smile. They started to get led to a different room. The room had a look to the outside. In the room were four chairs. All four were brown couch chairs. In the middle was a glass table and on it were three glasses and a carafe filled water in the middle. Merlin stared at the room and had his eyes roam. All three sat now in the middle and he let out a sigh.

"This could take a while and before this I want to show you something. Mer could you be a dear and give the nice guy the bag, please?"

Voice soft as he asked Merlin to do this. At first a pause then he stared at him and soon the bag was given to the male.

"These here are pictures he drawn. Most are- I can't even explain it. It is too hard for me."

Lancelot nodded and pulling out a file. A file which was filled with pictures and he saw him look at each one of them. There was a wince seen going through the male and he could tell that he wasn't the only one who had felt like this.

"So now that you have seen this I have to explain. So, two months and two weeks ago, Merlin was found. He had been missing for 7 almost 8 years now. He hadn't responded to anyone but me. But not much. Like he listened and his head tilted to the side from time to time. A week ago, that changed and he...."

His lips turned into a thin line. Merlin looked up at him and he could see the puzzlement in the other eyes. It showed him again that this wasn't an adult that they were dealing with.

"You can probably tell what I want to tell you. He should be 20 years old but from his reactions and how talked and manners he is more like a..."

Once again he trailed off and Lancelot nodded, and it seemed that this was psychological trauma. One of the more severe one and even the therapist himself wasn't sure that there would be ever a way to fix this.

"I can describe something to him. It should help with the night terrors. The best for him would draw therapy. I can see that it is difficult right now to talk. And with therapy like this it would help him."

This made sense and he nodded. At least he now knew that he would get help. But would he never be back to how he was? Would he end up forever be like a child and never again like an adult. This waged heavily on him. At least this was the first step that will help Merlin.

They went home with Merlin looking at him puzzled and he wasn't even sure how to explain this to him...

---

Two years later...

Two years and he was better but there was still sometimes were he ended up in his so-called 'small space'. In times like these, he was back to be a child. It was one of the reasons he ended up working with him. Kind of like assistance just with less workload. At least he was way better than before.

The only thing that changed was him being shy and he meant really shy. There was as well the fact that he wasn't too trustworthy towards new people. Usually, he shuts down entirely and ending up in his 'small space'. The other thing was that his memories were lost forever. At least that was what his therapist had to say about this.

Hunith ended up trying to get into contact and at least she visited occasionally, but it was still hard for her. Almost too hard. So that she couldn't visit too often.

"Daddy."

Yikes seems like he got overwhelmed again. For him, Merlin was like a father. It was weird at first, but he got used to it, not to mention that Merlin was right now a child. It made sense and people from his company knew this by now. They were always kind and trying not to overwhelm the male. 

But sometimes at the meetings -people who don't know about Merlin condition- yelling at the male when he ends up spilling something or messing up. But lucky usually he was really protected by his people. Which showed that the grown fond of the male.

"Yes, my boy?"

Merlin rushed over and ended up hugging him. His brows furrowed at this, but he hugged back now.

"I saw bad people."

Bad people? It took a moment for him to get what he meant, and he hugged him tighter. This was occasionally were he would get flashbacks and it seemed right now was one of these times.

"Were they really there or did you end up dreaming again?"

He needed to know because this wasn't possible. The police arrested everyone, and he was glad about this.

"Dunno..."

Voice soft and shaky and he let out a sigh as going through the raven color hair. A few moments Merlin calmed down and he let out a sigh.

"How about we call it a day and watch some of your favorite movies?"

Merlin slipped out of his hug and beamed now as well cheering. A chuckle went over him, and he got dragged into the living room.

"You pick a movie and I will make some popcorn."

The mentioned male nodded excitedly. A hair ruffled was given to the other male and he walked into the kitchen. Then he made microwave popcorn, putting it into the bowl and taking out a sippy cup and fill in some of the apple juice in it. Then he walked outside and seeing that Merlin had made a forte again. This was making him chuckle. The two were cuddling into each other.

One thing was clear Merlin would never have a normal life, but he would never leave the male. Even when he would die, he had someone who would take of Merlin. Someone who he trusted. Either way, he wouldn't have it any other way.

And he knew why, because he had his best friend alive. Even when he was now age regressed. It doesn't matter because sometimes the Merlin from the past shone through. And all that was mattering to him was that the male was alive, even when he had his mental issues.

End