Forever and a Day - Merlin X Reader - Red Shoes

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"Y/n," a voice said softly. I groaned, wrapping my arms around myself. I opened my eyes just enough to see a dark silhouette and a warm glowing light behind it.

"Just a little longer, mum, then I'll get up..." I mumbled. There's quiet laughter.

"Okay, take your time bumblebee," The voice said with a sing-songy voice. I felt my face screw up as the words tumbled into my ears.

"Bumblebee?" I asked before sitting up, only to open my eyes and see I wasn't in my bedroom and that this all wasn't some crazy dream. I looked to my left, and there was Merlin in all his moronic yet hypnotizing glory. 

"Rise and shine, sleeping beauty," He grinned. I hummed.

"You know, I've met sleeping beauty. She's a total morning person. Who would've guessed, huh?" 

Merlin just stared at me as I said that and he leaned to the side awkwardly. 

"Why bumblebee?"I asked in an attempt to avoid the silence that was slowly creeping up on the two of us. 

"Oh, I don't know," Merlin shrugged. "Don't mother's give their daughters cheesy nicknames?" 

I blinked and then mimicked his shrug. 

"Not mine," I laughed.

"Oh. Well, excuse me for assuming." Merlin teased.

That was when I noticed the familiar wooden bunny and three unfamiliar little bears. I nodded my head towards them and Merlin just shrugged. 

The silence that was sneaking towards us had finally engulfed the atmosphere with its smug aura. The only noise being made was a crackling fire that just so happened to be here when I woke up.

"You made a fire," I said, pointing to the flames dancing on the wood. "Didn't know you were capable of surviving on your own,  you ultimate wilderness survivor." 

Merlin chuckled despite it being a backhanded compliment. 

"You pick up on a few things when you're living in the middle of nowhere for a year," Merlin started and turned his back to me, his hands reaching out to the fire. "Besides, when I woke up on the shore we were both wet and the sun was almost done setting."

"Guess I have you to thank for the dry dress, then," I said, scooting up so I could sit by him.

"Better than sitting in the dark, wet as a mop, right?" He asked, glancing at me.

"Completely," I agreed, hugging my arms to my chest. I allowed my body to fall to the side so that I was leaning against Merlin. His body went frigid and for those few seconds he was still, I cursed myself for being so forward. But then, his body relaxed so suddenly and his arm snaked around my shoulders. My face, my neck, and ears went ablaze. The heat spreading across my skin held no mercy and yet I felt wonderfully content.

"I'm sorry we're stuck in the middle of nowhere..." Merlin said quietly. I chewed the inside of my cheek, my gaze falling to my shoes.

"At least that wasn't your fault," I reassured quietly. "I'm sorry I almost killed you." 

Merlin ripped away from me allowing a gasp to tear from my throat as he stared at me incredulously.

"Are you mad?" He asked, his hands landing on my shoulders. "You realized you saved me, right? Like that's been registered in your head? Or did you hit it when you literally jumped into a lake for me?" 

I gaped at him, my eyes blinking rapidly and my mouth open wide due to confusion. 

"But the ice broke..." I stammered out.