I Am Legal || Merlin

four

third person - merlin

Almost a week passed and still no change. Arthur still snapped at Merlin with every possibility, giving him more and more chores with every aggravation.

Merlin was tired of it.

He was tired of the constant fear Arthur would rat him out to the King. He was tired of scrubbing the floor three times a day and bowing his head whenever Arthur passed. He was tired of calling Arthur "Sire."

And now, Merlin thought, his heart aching, a part of him was starting to regret ever kissing Arthur.

It was late in the evening, Arthur just finishing his dinner. He pushed the plate towards Merlin with a sharp command to bring it back to the kitchens. Merlin just nodded and gathered the dishes.

"And Merlin, come back for some chores." With an annoyed sigh, Merlin obeyed.

Thirty minutes later, Merlin grumbled as he walked through the halls, his hand stinging from where Arthur accidentally ran his quill against it.

Arthur had been writing a speech (a job usually reserved for Merlin) when Merlin placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. Arthur, startled, turned quickly, the sharp end of the quill catching on Merlin's hand, cutting it.

Merlin was sure Arthur looked alarmed, guilty, too. He was sure of it despite the bored tone Arthur used when dismissing Merlin.

"God, what a pompous ass," he mumbled. Suddenly, a sharp breath caught Merlin's ear. He stopped in his tracks and tried to listen for the noise again. Just a second later, a gentle whimper and then a quiet cry.

Merlin's brows furrowed as he took a right turn and came across Morgana. She was crying. Her head buried in her hands, dress pooling over her bent knees.

"Morgana," Merlin said faintly, shocked at how quiet his voice was. Nevertheless, Morgana heard and snapped her head up. Her watery, red eyes locked with Merlin's. He gave her a weak, closed-lip smile.

"Oh, Merlin," she pushed out, voice cracking slightly and cheeks flushing a darker red. "I'm sorry, you shouldn't see me like this." She went to stand but Merlin stuck his hand out with a series of gentle noes. He crouched in front of her.

"What happened? Are you okay?" Morgana seemed to hesitate for a moment, tears still cascading down her face, leaving wet trails.

"What," she started, her voice sounding so foreign, "do you think of homosexuals?" Merlin pulled back at the question, falling off his toes and onto his arse.

"I-," Merlin's voice left him. All he could think was why? Why? Why? Why?

Did Morgana know?

Merlin stayed seated on his arse, too frightened to move. "Why?"

"Just... I want to know."

"I-," Merlin took a deep breath. This could get him in serious trouble. But this was Morgana, he told himself. She was a good guy.

"I think they're normal."

Morgana smiled through her watery eyes before breaking down again. Merlin finally found it inside himself to move, setting himself next to his crying friend. He didn't touch her, not sure if she wanted that or not.