Boy in the bubble (Modern Merthur AU) (Discontinued)

Chapter Twenty Seven

Arthur's heart was beating out of his chest the whole ride home. Part of his mind was solely on Merlin and how he had hurt him and what he had left behind - what he had done before he did so. The other part of Arthur's mind worried away and ate at him to what his father's reaction was going to be - he was going to waltz through the door, as a man he wasn't when he left, with a girlfriend and child, and a secret affair with a man, that if his father ever discovered he would surely kill him for. He had left his heart someplace else, on the floor of a bedroom that Merlin was probably still sat on now, his bleeding head cradled in his knees, waiting for Gaius to return and treat him - treat him for a wound Arthur had caused and not apologised for, a wound Arthur had walked out on. However, despite its missing place in his chest, his heart was pounding against his ribcage and pumping his blood furiously around his body.

When they pulled into the old, glamourous drive he huffed out a puff of air, willing away all the tears that were gathering and beginning to sting behind his eyes.

"Wait here," He said, it was colder than he had meant for it to sound but he couldn't bring himself to care, "I need to check something, then I'll come out and get you."

Gwen nodded, 'it's not like she had a choice anyway.' Arthur thought bitterly, slamming hsi door behind him.

~~~

He slid his key, that had lain dormant since that day, into the lock of the grand front door.

"I'm back!" He called, making his way to the parlour where Uther was sure to be downing another drink.

And surely, there he was, beer bottle in hand, spread lethargically across the couch, shouting obscenities at the television, seemingly unaware of Arthur's presence yet. The blond used this to his advantage and gathered himself before: "Hello Father." He said, calm and cool and not at all how he actually felt inside. Uther's cold eyes glance up and meet his before he rights himself on the couch with an evil grin playing over his lips.

"So... you've returned." His voice was harsh and a fierce reminder to what Arthur had left.

"I needed to come back."

"What makes you think you're welcome?" His father spat, the words flying visibly from his tongue as he stood up in front of his son. 

Arthur subconsciously straightened out his shoulders and stood a little taller than he actually was, "I bring back my own child ... one to take over the business in years to come."

"A child?" He sounded incredulous and taken back - Arthur was just sixteen, young and as far as his father was concerned, not even dating anyone at the moment.

"My unborn child... yes."

"She is in the hall? Your woman?" Rage boiled beneath Arthur's skin - he may not love Gwen but she stood on her own ground, and that ground stood far higher than solely being his 'woman'.

"I have asked her to wait in the car ... just while I reacquaint with you."

Uther glared at him for a moment, "I am your father. You do not 'reacquaint' with blood boy."

"You stand on no high ground to me."

"You come here asking for forgiveness, when - " The elder man thundered.

"I come here asking for hospitality ... not forgiveness." Arthur responded, his voice raising an octave, "You should be asking forgiveness of me."

"You bastard! I raised you, fed you, cared for you and this is what I get - having to apologise!"

"You never cared for me! - not a day beyond my eighth birthday - I have scars to prove it!" Arthur retaliated and Uther's eyes turned bloodshot and so Arthur back peddled, he needn't be going out with broken glass worked into his forehead, "I ask for a place to sleep. That is all."