Chapter Text
Merlin handed in his badge late on a Friday afternoon. There had been a small goodbye party for him, mostly just a gathering with coffee and a small cake. Kilgharrah was there to send him off with vaguely wise words and a firm handshake.
And then it was over. Merlin’s career as an undercover agent for the police was done. He was starting his own private investigation business.
At home, Merlin helped himself to some wine as he set up his easel. He was still working on the seascape, but it was nearly done. He just had to add some white highlights here and there to give it some depth and make it pop.
He settled on his stool and took in the overall painting. It presented such a peaceful scene. One day he’d make it back to this spot and take another picture. He’d bring Will with him, and they’d fly their aircrafts over the cliffs in the breeze from the sea. It might be a long time before they could afford the trip again, but they’d do it. One day.
Merlin’s mobile rang, and he didn’t recognise the number, but it wasn’t flagged as spam. Maybe it was a former colleague and he’d left something important at his old desk.
“Hello?”
“Is this Merlin?”
Merlin’s breath caught. He recognised his voice. It had been visiting him in his dreams for a month. “Arthur?”
“Yes.”
Merlin stood and then sat back down, clueless as to what to do or what to say. “How—how are you?”
“I’ve certainly been better. Do you know everything that’s been going on?”
“I know your uncle has been charged with murder.”
“Several. Plus an attempted one. All to cover up the fact that he’s also a thief.”
“Yes,” Merlin said awkwardly. “I’m sorry about your trust fund.”
Arthur sighed. “If I’d known he’d taken all the money years ago, I never would have been in such a rush to get married. I never would have met you in the first place.”
“Bet you wish you hadn’t,” Merlin said, trying to make things light.
“No,” Arthur said, and Merlin thought there must be a misunderstanding. “The past month has been… well, difficult doesn’t quite cover it, but one of most difficult things was…” Arthur cleared his throat. “Admitting to myself that I miss you.”
Merlin closed his eyes. God, he’d missed Arthur, too. But Arthur couldn’t miss him. Arthur didn’t even know him.
“You miss Martin,” Merlin said. “And Martin was a lie.”
“Was he? How much of him was just a persona?”
Merlin opened his mouth, but nothing came to mind. He had to pause and think about it. “Well, I’m not an art teacher,” he said.
“So the paint stains were a lie?”
“No, I paint. I just don’t… teach.”
“So the paint stains weren’t a lie.”
“No,” Merlin said quietly.
“Would it be against the rules for us to see each other again?” Arthur asked after a moment.
Merlin smiled despite himself. “I’m not all that interested in the rules anymore.”
“Why not?”
“I quit.”
Arthur went quiet for a long moment. “I have two train tickets out of the city for tomorrow morning. 9:30.”
Merlin blinked. Was that an invitation? “Where are you going?”
“To the sea. I’m glad you weren’t stabbed.” Arthur hung up.
Merlin set down his mobile and closed his eyes. He had assumed he’d never see Arthur again, at least not until Agravaine’s trial, whenever that would be.
But maybe there was a chance for them somehow. Now that they knew each other’s truths. Arthur had only been looking to get married to inherit his trust fund. Merlin had only agreed to it for his undercover investigation. But now the trust fund was gone and Merlin was under no obligation.
Merlin opened his eyes and picked up his paintbrush.
Merlin woke up late the next morning and rushed around his flat, stuffing clothes and his toothbrush into a backpack. He took a bus to the train station and only barely arrived in time.
Arthur was there, waiting on the platform, looking nervous and sad until he spotted Merlin.
Merlin didn’t say anything in greeting, he only walked up and pulled Arthur into a hug.
Arthur hugged him back tightly, and Merlin noted how much he had missed Arthur’s scent, how warm Arthur was against him, how right it felt to be back in his arms.
Arthur pulled back and gazed at Merlin for a second before going in for a kiss. Merlin sighed into it, relief rushing through him. He cupped Arthur’s face, holding on and wanting to never let go again.
Someone bumped into them in their rush to board, and Arthur broke the kiss with a laugh.
“Come on or we’ll miss it,” he said.
Arthur held out his hand, and Merlin let him take it and pull him onto the train.