unwaning | Emerson's Cell

[His breath catches in his throat. He can't have heard wrong, he can't.]

What...what did you just call me?

[ It's the edge in Merlin's voice that gets Arthur to stop more than the question itself. Something unpleasant coils in his stomach; he assumes it's the hangover. ]

Em. Same as I always do.

[ He sounds genuinely confused, half because he's not sure what Merlin's getting at and half because he's not sure of the answer, and that's unsettling. His headache feels like it's surging back up tenfold. ]

Are you - you all right? You sure you're not the hungover one?

[Merlin has to bite his tongue to keep the groan of frustration in.]

Yeah. I'm fine.

[He rubs at his face, not sure if he should be pressing things or not. Both times were a slip of the tongue, which means Arthur himself doesn't actually remember. The memories are in there somewhere, though.]

Still want me to come over and nurse you back to health?

[ But even without him pressing ( which, later, Arthur will appreciate and loathe in equal measure ), Arthur knows something is wrong. He doesn't know what it is, though, and his mind keeps rolling back to try and remember - further and further back, beyond his slip up just seconds ago to last night, when he felt as though he'd found something impossibly important and had to tell Merlin, beyond even that much to last week and the months before that and years before that - lifetimes, it feels.

Too much, for too long. Arthur's head spins and he can't fathom it out, everything bleeds together in waves of red and gold and flashes of silver, blue skies and blue eyes and both keep blinking away from him.

Arthur reels back from it all, stumbling into his bedside and knocking over his lamp and alarm clock, groaning. It's - it's the hangover, must be, must've just had way too much last night. A good shower could clear it all up, some paracetamol and a hot soak - ]

Yeah, if you - gods - if you have the time -

[ He thinks Merlin is late. Should already be here, should never have left, 'where were you?' and Arthur doesn't know who's asking or why; he drops his mobile in favour of grabbing his head with a groan and running to the bathroom. He's going to be sick. ]

[A laugh threatens to bubble out as soon as he ends the call. When does he not have the time for Arthur? Shaking his head at the wayward thought, Merlin pulls his jacket on and leaves his flat.

He arrives at Arthur's armed with a bag of groceries and lets himself in.]

Arthur?

[ The water of the shower is still running by the time Merlin arrives, but Arthur hasn't washed just yet. He spent the majority of that time wrenching into the toilet as his head begged to split in two different directions ( into two different people ), but he eventually managed to shove himself under the spray of water if only to give himself white noise to focus on rather than the shouting in his head.

He's still sitting there, hugging his knees and forcing himself to breathe slowly, when he hears the door and Merlin's voice. Gods, but Arthur can't let Merlin see him like this. As if he hasn't worried his boyfriend enough.

He darts to his feet, only barely avoiding slipping back and cracking his skull open, and hurriedly rubs shampoo in and out of his hair. The rough motion jostles his head and Arthur swears under his breath, but he lets it rinse out unaided while he quickly scrubs down the sick feeling from his skin. In total, it takes about all of five minutes, and then Arthur's stepping into a pair of footie shorts with his hair still dripping and skin pink-red, but Merlin is here and that's all that matters. ]

Em?

[By the time Arthur stumbles out of the shower, Merlin's already frying up a few eggs. There's a cup of coffee and paracetamol tablets already set out.

Merlin glances up, the corner of his mouth quirking up when he sees the wet hair.]

Hey. [He pushes the plate toward Arthur and leans against the counter.] Eat those tablets first or you won't be able to keep the eggs down.

[ Arthur stares at him for a moment, trying to process one thing over the other, but then he sees Merlin smile and the uncertainty falls away into a warm lull in his chest. He wraps his towel around his still-bare shoulders and goes to his boyfriend first, one hand braces on the counter beside him and the other tentatively rising to Merlin's hip ( like he isn't sure if he should, if he's allowed ).

But Merlin is here. Merlin cooked for him and smiled for him. Arthur presses their foreheads together and closes his eyes, letting the contact soothe him. He sigh, whispers. ]

Thank you.

[Merlin reaches up to cup Arthur's cheek.]

If I'd known cooking breakfast was all it took to get a thank you, I'd have done it ages ago.

[He noses along Arthur's neck, not minding the dampness.]

You're welcome. Prat.

[ He unconsciously leans into the touch, focusing on it and centring himself again. They're in his kitchen, eating his food, and taking it easy. Nothing else. Nowhere else.

Arthur kisses Merlin's forehead and pulls away to bring his food and drink over to his table, talking along the way. ]

Yes, well. Your usual grumbling and complaining tends to get in the way, as though making me breakfast is some terribly arduous task.

[ He takes the paracetamol before plopping down in his seat and poking idly at his food. His stomach protests, but it'll be god for him. ]

But this looks good, so I'll overlook you calling me a prat this time.

How generous of you.

[Merlin follows Arthur to the table and plucks the towel off his shoulders.]

You didn't have time to dry your hair?

[While Arthur's eating, Merlin goes about trying toweling Arthur's hair dry as gently as he can.]

[ Arthur grumbles unintelligible through the food in his mouth, closing his eyes as Merlin dries his hair. His head still aches but not as much as it did, and the attention feels nice. Merlin feels nice.

It makes it easier to lie. ]

I didn't want to leave my room only to find you'd burnt down my flat trying to do a fry up.

[ But he does feel somewhat better and Merlin came just for him, so Arthur takes another thoughtful bite and then tilts his head back against Merlin so he can look up at him. ]

And I s'pose I wanted to see you. I do miss you.

Oh, you suppose.

[Merlin teases him as he gives Arthur's hair one last ruffle with the towel and drops it onto the chair's back.]

I don't think you're in any condition to attend class today. [He drops a kiss onto Arthur's cheek, draping himself over Arthur's shoulders.] Bedrest --doctor's orders.

[ Arthur doesn't respond for a moment, brows furrowed slightly and staring off at nothing. For the briefest moment, he can see Merlin tending to someone as they're ill, and then he feels arms around his shoulders and a warmth of his cheek. ]

Mm.

[ It takes him that short moment to come back to himself, but he does, and there's a soft smile on his lips as he lifts a hand to clutch Merlin's. ]

Only if you'll stay and feed me soup and bring me water and perhaps a foot rub.

[An amused huff escapes him, and he pulls back just enough to raise his eyebrows at Arthur.]

Well, you know. Now that I think of it, I might have to be on campus to help Leon--Leonard with one of his classes today.

[ Arthur sucks his teeth, grinning. ]

As though he's never let us get away with far worse than skiving off for a day. I'm sure he can survive without you. I, on the otherhand -

[ He turns in his seat to rest his head on the back of his seat and blink innocently up at Merlin. ]

- might very well perish. Have mercy.

[He tries not to react, he really does. In the end, he can't help but look at Arthur, stricken for a moment, before pasting a smile on.]

I had no idea you needed me so much.

[The smirk feels a little weak, but at least it's there.]

[ It resonates, that small falter in Merlin's cheek, and Arthur blinks back that far away place where life was something precious that broke in his hands. He speaks, halfway in a daze; ]

There's just ... something about you.

[ Something - something precious. Arthur's brows furrow and he rubs at his temple. ]

Mm. Could do with a day-long nap or two, though, if you'd like to head off to work. I might be shite for company like this.

Don't be stupid.

[Merlin drags a chair over, sitting toe to toe with Arthur.]

I didn't put up with your silly pick up lines just so I could leave you for work.

Does wishing you were a bite-sized snack count as a pick up line?

[ He tugs one of Merlin's hands into his own the moment he's near enough for it; physical contact is keeping him calm. Cuddly whilst hungover, who knew? ]

If so, I'm better than I thought I was. Not like you're one to talk, Mr Destiny and Fate.

[ A light smirk. Their first not!date was cavity worthy amounts of endearing. ]

[His mouth twitches.]

You liked it when I chatted you up. Don't try to deny it.

[Merlin gives Arthur's foot a nudge with his own.]

I wouldn't dream of it.

[ He'll just. Subtly tug on Merlin's hand to urge him closer for a kiss. He doesn't want to move much himself, but he can totally make Merlin come to him instead!! ]

Edited 2013-11-10 23:54 (UTC)

[Merlin allows himself to be pulled in, tilting his head to accept the kiss.]

How are you really feeling?

[He pulls back, hand lingering at Arthur's nape and stroking lightly at the damp skin there.]

[ Arthur bites his lip in consideration before answering with a crooked smile. ]

Better, now you're here.

[ Whomp whomp, talk about cheesy pick up lines. But he's sincere about it, if not entirely honest. He sighs and amends. ]

My head doesn't quite feel like imploding anymore, but it's a near enough thing. I must've drank more than I'd realised last night. It really does feel better with you near, though.

Edited (phone HTML /Lemongrab) 2013-11-12 05:55 (UTC)

[Merlin ducks his head, smile suddenly turning shy. After a second, he looks at Arthur through his lashes.]

You're awfully good at buttering people up when you want to be.

[He leans in for a quick kiss, then stands and pulls Arthur to his feet.]

Come on. You're supposed to be in bed for today, remember?

Emerson's Cell

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