Arthur's return

Scars

DISCLAIMER!!
Mentions self harm, dont read if it can trigger you please.

When Arthur came back with the medbox merlin was stood up leaning against the kitchen table shirtless, Arthur paused in his tracks at the sight, not because that merlin had abs but because his entire body was covered in scars and the massive gash he currently had will only add to that, Arthur burned at the idea of someone hurting his merlin.
Arthur stood there for a few more seconds wondering how he got each of the marks that covered him, some big some small. When he snapped out of his gaze he passed the medbox to merlin who the opened it to take out some bandages and disinfectant. He started treating his wounds and then wrapped the bandage around the wound on his stomach. They were both silent the entire time merlin was treating his wounds, both not knowing what to say.
After merlin had put the stuff back in the medbox he walked over and placed it on the kitchen counter, he turned around and saw Arthur staring at him with glassy eyes, "Merlin what happened to you" his voice breaking at the end "nothing Arthur just some drunk guys I bumped in to unfortunately" merlin sighed "no.. I wasn't talking about the most recent injures... your scars, what happened? I surely thought I would have more from battle back in Camelot, I thought so wrong" Arthur said whilst stepping towards merlin gazing at his scars, he brings a hand up to one of the bigger ones that goes from his collar bone to just below his peck, he traces it carefully with his fingers almost in a trance, it was only until he heard merlins breath hitch that he came out of the trance but he didn't move his hand, he had it rested on his chest looking up at merlin sadly. "Arthur you really don't want to hear the stories of my scars" merlin says now tearing up remembering how he got some of them, "yes I do" Arthur said almost in a whisper knowing he won't like what merlin will say "ok then, let's go lay in my bed because I'm super tired" Just as Arthur turned to go to merlins room, Merlin took the phone out of his pocket so he could give it to Arthur the next day.
When merlin walked in arthur was already laying down on the bed with his back against the head board, Merlin walked in and locked the door, he secretly wants Arthur to stay in here tonight so maybe Arthur will pick this up as a hint. He went and sat next to Arthur on the bed slightly wincing in pain as he did.
"So which ones do you want to know about?" Merlin said and turned to Arthur, very aware he was still shirtless and his scars were on show, "how did you get that one" Arthur says whilst tracing the large scar he had noticed earlier, "I got that back in Camelot actually, Morgana had kidnapped me as you know of, I just decided to skip out the part where she tortured me, I didn't want you to worry and besides I had healed it with my magic in time for my chores the next day" merlin said with a slight laugh but Arthur wasn't laughing, he had tears in his eyes "s..she tortured you?" "Yeh I guess, I almost died but my magic protected me" "w..w..why did you never tell me? You didn't want me to worry?!! Do you know how worried I was when u disappeared!" Arthur said with the tears freely falling from his eyes now "oh Arthur I'm sorry" merlin said looking down "SORRY? Why are you sorry, I'm the one who should be apologising, I never noticed how much you had been through merlin and I made it worse by giving you endless chores" Arthur cried out, Merlin brought one of his hands up to Arthur's cheek to wipe away a tear "Arthur you don't need to apologise for that, I was a servent doing chores was literally my job and besides I'm alive so you don't have to worry, I can take care of myself, wether I need to endure some pain along the way or not" merlin only now realising his hand was still cupping Arthur's cheek he went to move it but Arthur quickly held it in place, they shared a loving look, neither of them knowing what it meant.
"What about those?" Arthur asks pointing at merlins forearm where there were lines on lines of scars. Merlin froze, remembering how he was feeling everytime he took a knife to his arm. Merlin took his hand off Arthur's cheek and looked down "I um.. gave them to.. myself" merlin said as barely a whisper, not wanting Arthur to feel bad for him. "What do you mean?" Arthur asked pulling merlins head up to look at him "I um.. did it to myself" Arthur only now realising what he meant "oh.. merlin I'm so sorry, please please never do that again, please" Arthur said bringing merlin into a tight hug. "I won't I promise, you are back now so I have no reason to".
After they were hugging for a while arthur started leaning backwards to lie down, Merlin still in his clutch. He wanted merlin to never feel that way again. Once they were lying down merlin rested his head on Arthur's chest clinging on to him, Arthur nestled into merlins neck, breathing in his scent and feeling at home.
They fell asleep in each others arms properly for the first time, not just leaning on each other, they were fully embraced.