Author: LadyFromPoland

Disclaimer: I don't own "Merlin". It is a TV show which belongs to BBC.

Warning: SLASH

English is not my mother language.

Okay. I was supposed to update last week but I didn't. I'm sorry. I always wanted this story to have only five chapters so it's the last one and that's why it is extra long. I needed to write down all I had in my mind and it took me a while. Enjoy!

Bromance is what you make it

Chapter 5

"Dawn"

Instead of sitting in the chair, Merlin sat on the edge of Arthur's bed. He liked the soft material of the sheet and the warmth of Arthur's body that he felt. He still was a bit afraid of being so close but he was more confident than at the beginning.

"Morgana keeps on telling me that I should talk to you," he said quietly. "I like it. I really do... but I wish you could say something too."

Merlin sighed and touched Arthur's hand softly. He learnt every inch of the hand by heart. It was the way he dared to express the tenderness.

"It's crazy, isn't it? I know that nothing's going to happen. You'll wake up and you won't remember anything that I've told you. We'll be friends and we'll watch some movies or drink beer at bar. I won't dare confess my feelings." He smiled sadly. "Morgana will try everything to make me tell you but when she sees you with some gorgeous girl, she'll resign. That's my future... and your future." Merlin touched Arthur's hair tenderly. "I'm only going to miss such moments like this. But I'd rather see you awaken now than keep on living like this," he whispered after a short moment. "I'm talking like a teenage girl." Merlin chuckled. "What have you done to me?"

oOoOo

Guinevere had a night shift. She didn't have much to do but she couldn't take a nap as well. She decided to visit some people in coma. Although she had never heard a voice of any of them, she started to think about them as friends. Despite her kindness, she had only a few friends in her personal life. The shyness, especially towards men, was the thing that was hard to conquer.

One of the people that she decided to visit was Arthur. The man was handsome but Gwen didn't think about him in such category. For her heart he was a rival, even though she had given up on Merlin the moment she realised that he was in love with his friend.

She opened the door quietly, knowing that it wouldn't wake Arthur up anyway. It was really hard to get rid of some habits.

There was something wrong in the room. It was a light snoring of someone who was sitting in a chair. Gwen turned the light on, knowing who would it be. She wasn't mistaken.

"Merlin," she said quietly, shaking his arm lightly. "Merlin."

The young man opened his eyes, disoriented.

"You shouldn't be here," Gwen told him.

Merlin frowned. "What tiiiiiiime is it?" he asked, yawning.

"It's almost two in the morning," she answered.

"Really? I wasn't going to fall asleep... it just happened."

"You don't have to explain yourself. I'm not going to make you leave this place," Guinevere assured him. "I'd be cruel... and dangerous," she added after a while.

"Why dangerous?" Merlin asked.

"Just look at yourself. You're going to fall asleep on a night bus and it's not a safe thing to do, right?" She sighed. "I'll bring you a blanket."

"Thank you." He smiled at her. "You're an angel."

Gwen giggled. "Of course I am."

When she came back with the blanket, Merlin was already sleeping. She covered him and quietly got out of the room.

oOoOo

He wasn't exactly sure where he was. It was dark all around him and thinking was a hard thing to do in this moment. For a short moment he was considering it as a dream but the pain in his back seemed too real. He moved slightly what caused another shot pain. After a while of lying still he realised that he was not alone in the room. In such silence a breath of another person seemed to be a really loud noise.

"Damn it," the man mumbled, swallowing hard. His throat was so dry and he had nothing to drink.

The person that was sleeping somewhere near him, mumbled something. At first he didn't understand a single sound but the word was repeated. "Arthur..." It was his name. Moreover, it was murmured by his best friend. He would recognise Merlin's voice everywhere.

His mind had gone black at first but now he started realising some things. There had been a car accident and then some voices; so many words that he had been hearing. Most of them belonged to Merlin. Arthur wasn't even sure if they really had been said. Some of the memories that started running through his head were simply crazy.

He wanted to say something to wake his friend up. He didn't know how long he had been remaining in this state. Arthur needed answers and needed his friend. However he wasn't able to make any sound. It was so horrible to wait when he finally opened his eyes.

It took a longer while before Merlin woke up. The sun was already dawning. There was still quite dark in the room but the darkest hour was over.

Arthur was frustrated. He wanted Merlin to notice him but his efforts were hopeless. The blonde watched his friend walking towards the window and looking outside. Once again Merlin was behaving like a girl but Arthur got used to it and, to be honest, he found it quite cute. That was just the way Merlin was and he wouldn't change anything about him.

"Another day," Merlin said quietly. For a short moment Arthur was sure that Merlin knew that he was awaken. However his friend was just talking to himself. That was one of the habits that he remembered. He often heard Merlin's voice during his prolonged dream. The problem was that he didn't know when that what he had been hearing was real and when it was just a fruit of his imagination. Suddenly Arthur felt dizzy. He didn't want to think in what state was his imagination, making him hear such things.

Merlin opened a window. "It's September," he whispered. "Half of an year..."

Arthur felt nauseous. He had been in come for six months. It was a big amount of time. Although he didn't think about the time that he'd spent in bed, such news was at least surprising to him.

Abruptly Merlin moved from the window and started walking up to Arthur's bed. His heart started pounding fiercely. Finally Merlin would find out that he was awaken and that everything would be fine once again.

The dark haired man sat on the edge of his bed. Arthur didn't understand why he was looking down on the floor. It was quite weird.

Arthur tried to move his leg. It was difficult but he succeed. Nevertheless Merlin did not notice his effort. Arthur tried once again and this time he touched his friend's body lightly.

Merlin lifted his head but he must have thought that his imagination was playing tricks with him again.

Arthur didn't know how he did it but he groaned silently. Merlin heard that sound and quickly looked at his friend.

"Arthur?" he whispered in disbelief.

The blonde wanted to nodded but he just blinked his eyes.

"Oh my God..." Merlin said weakly. For a while he was fighting with himself but finally he dared to hug him.

Arthur couldn't respond but Merlin's tight hug was surprisingly pleasant.

"I can't believe it's real," Merlin whispered. "Say something... okay. You may have a problem with that for now," he added after a while. "It doesn't matter. You've come out of this shit and that's what really matters."

oOoOo

Arthur was feeling much better. He could move again but he wasn't allowed to get up of the bed yet. He needed time and rehabilitation to be fit again but his condition was generally well.

The good news spread quickly and Arthur didn't have a short while for himself. He was visited by crowds of friends.

In this whole situation Merlin took a step back. He was happy that Arthur was awaken but he felt a bit deceived. He had spent by his friend's bed many months and now he wanted to stay close to him. However there were others who started to separate them. Merlin wasn't a selfish men and he understood their happiness. Nonetheless, the visit of sweet, silly and shallow Vivian was a blow to Merlin. She and Arthur had been dating for a short time. The moment Merlin saw her, he knew that she wasn't a woman for Arthur. She didn't have any advantage beside her beauty.

"I've been missing you so much!" Vivian squealed. "I was so worried."

"Really?" Arthur asked weakly.

"Yes!" She kissed him on a cheek. "I was visiting you as often as I could."

Merlin watched her in disbelief. She hadn't pay Arthur a visit nor when he was in the hospital neither later. It was a treacherous lie. Merlin wanted to do or say something but he wasn't brave enough. Had been Morgana there, she would have reacted.

"That's very nice of you," Arthur said kindly. He didn't think that he and Vivian were together any longer but the girl behaved as if they were. They'd never truly broken up but he had tried to show her that their relationship didn't have any sense. Apparently he hadn't succeed yet.

Vivian smiled and leant down to kiss him on the lips. Arthur couldn't say that the kiss was unpleasant. Vivian was very good at kissing. He sometimes thought that she was just too good. Such kisser like her had to practise a lot with many different people. Arthur didn't want to wonder what kinds of people they had been.

When she broke up the kiss, Arthur coughed lightly.

"Sorry," she said.

"I think my organism isn't ready for kisses yet," Arthur told her to prevent her from kissing him again.

"That's ok, sweetheart." Vivian sighed. "We'll catch up with time when you get out of here."

Arthur nodded quickly. He knew that he couldn't escape the serious conversation with her but he didn't want to start the fight in this place and while Merlin was present.

Merlin was watching this whole scene, feeling a lump in his throat. He considered getting out of the room but he had promised Arthur to stay with him the whole afternoon. Eventually he found the solution.

"I'll be back in a while," he said sheepishly. "Toilet."

Vivian didn't even look at him. Arthur nodded his head and gave him a small smile but his friend didn't notice it.

Merlin came back in fifteen minutes. He prepared an excuse which explained why it took him so long. A short conversation with Guinevere seemed to be convincing.

When Merlin came into the room, there was no sign of Vivian.

"Where's she?" he asked, trying to sound neutrally.

"Her flatmate called. She had to come back home," Arthur explained quietly.

Merlin nodded, not knowing what to say.

"You seem reserved," Arthur pointed out. "You've always been such a chatterbox. I never thought that I would say it but I really miss your babbling."

Merlin couldn't help laughing. "Things... changed," he said eventually.

"The Merlin I knew would have denied," Arthur murmured.

Merlin just shrugged.

"Tell me what happened," Arthur asked his friend.

"It doesn't matter."

"Is it about Vivian?" The blonde sighed. "I know that you don't like her."

"That's true," Merlin agreed. "I never liked her and I don't understand why you waste your time with her. I told you about it months ago and my opinion didn't change." He looked at his watch. "I know that I've promised to keep your company but I hope that you'll excuse me earlier. I've just realised that I have some things to do that can't wait."

Merlin was opening the door when Arthur's voice stopped him.

"Damn! I'm not interested in Vivian. I even know that she never visited me."

"Did Morgana told you?" Merlin asked hopefully.

"No!"

"Can you recognise when she's lying?" He didn't give up.

"No!"

Merlin turned around and looked directly at Arthur. "Then how?"

Arthur cleared his throat. "I haven't told you yet but I think that I was partially aware during my coma."

"Partially?" Merlin asked with trembling you.

"Perhaps a little bit more than partially," the blonde admitted.

"Much more?" Merlin swallowed hard.

"I know that you were by my side for all this time. You and Morgana were the ones that didn't leave me. I want to thank you."

"That's what friends are for," the brunet whispered.

"Yes." Arthur hesitated for a few seconds. "I sometimes heard what you were talking about and... what you were talking to me. Merlin, I remember your confession."

Merlin was remaining still for a short while, blinking. Arthur was looking at him in silence. Suddenly Merlin turned around, grabbed door handle and ran out of the room.

"Merlin, wait!" Arthur shouted but his friend didn't listen to him. "Merlin!"

oOoOo

Merlin was in such rush that he didn't notice Gwen and bumped into her. "Sorry," he murmured, helping her stand up.

"You should be more careful," Guinevere said but she wasn't really angry with him. "By the way... Why were you running down the corridor? What happened?"

The boy blushed deeply. "I feel like an idiot," he told her. "I was talking to Arthur when he was in coma, not really thinking that he would hear me. But he did..." Merlin sighed.

"Wait... Does he remember your love confession?"

Merlin nodded lightly, leaning on the wall. "I've ruined our friendship. He must hate me so much."

"When I saw you together last time, it didn't look as if he loathed you." Gwen tried to give him some comfort. "What exactly did he tell you?"

"Well... when he admitted that he heard it, he remained silent. Then I got out of his room and didn't listen when he was shouting my name," Merlin admitted.

"You need to go back to him," Gwen said firmly.

"Never." Merlin shook his head. "I'll never see him again."

"Yes, you will." The woman sighed. "Trust me, all what you need is an honest talk with your friend. It's clear to me that he doesn't hate you. You're just too confused to notice obvious things."

"Really?" Merlin asked doubtfully.

"You don't risk anything," Gwen said reasonably. "If you don't go to talk to him, you'll regret it all your life."

"You're right," Merlin said. "There's nothing left to risk. I'll go there and face him."

Gwen kissed him on the cheek. "That's for luck," she explained, smiling.

Ten minutes later she saw Morgana who was entering the hall with some handsome young man. Seeing Gwen, Arthur's sister gave her a smile and walked up to her, followed by an attractive stranger.

"Hello, Guinevere," Morgana said. "Is my brother alone?"

"No," Gwen answered, flushing lightly. "Merlin just went to talk with him about this thing."

"Excellent!" Morgana couldn't help giggling. "I need to see it."

"I'm not sure it's a good idea," the nurse said frankly.

"Who cares." Arthur's sister smirked. "Oh, this is my friend, Lancelot. I hope you can take care of him while I'm spying on our dear boys."

Gwen nodded and Morgana moved towards her brother's room.

"I'm Guinevere," the woman said, looking at Lancelot. "But you can call me Gwen."

"Guinevere is a very rare, yet very beautiful name," Lancelot said charmingly.

"Thank you." Her voice was trembling a bit. There was something wonderful in his eyes and in the way he was looking at her. Gwen wasn't sure what it was but she definitely liked it.

oOoOo

Merlin sneaked into the room silently but Arthur who was looking at the window heard him.

"Merlin," he whispered. "I thought you weren't going to come back."

"I'm here," the boy said in a trembling voice.

Arthur glanced at the chair next to his bed. "Take a seat," he asked his friend. "We need to talk."

"I know," Merlin agreed and moved slowly towards the chair. He sat down, not looking at Arthur. He was too embarrassed.

"I wasn't going to scary you," Arthur broke a silence. "Perhaps I should tell you that I heard everything in other way but I was a coward. I didn't know how to say it so I just took the opportunity. When I mentioned Vivian and when you started to ask questions... I just felt that I could tell you."

"Couldn't you just keep it to yourself?" Merlin couldn't help asking. "You didn't have to tell me that you know about my feelings. It'd have been better if you had just forgotten about my bloody confession."

"I had to tell you," Arthur protested.

"Am I so repulsive?" Merlin asked. "You needed to give me a reason to end our friendship?"

"No! What are you talking about?" Arthur wanted to look Merlin in the eyes but his friend was avoiding eye contact. "Please, look at me."

"No," Merlin said stubbornly.

"Why? I'm just curious." Arthur said intriguingly.

"You're curious?" Merlin knew his friend too well. He knew that if he wanted to hear an explanation he needed to look at him. That's why Merlin lifted his head and met Arthur's blue eyes.

"What have you seen in me?" Arthur asked in such tone as if the question was about the weather.

What?" Merlin blushed madly.

"Why do you have feelings for me?" the blonde kept on asking. "I need to know."

"Do I have to have a reason?" the boy asked, frowning. "I don't really understand it myself but... this conversation has no sense!" Merlin was about to jump up of the chair and run away once again but Arthur grabbed his arm before he succeeded. Although Merlin was able to release himself, something stopped him. Before he could do anything reasonable, Arthur pulled him closer.

"I need to try something," the blonde whispered and without further explanation he kissed his friend. The kiss was short but sweet and chaste.

Merlin was astonished but deep inside he felt that Arthur enjoyed the kiss and it was the surprising and cheerful news. "Have you tried it carefully enough?" he asked weakly.

"I'm not sure," Arthur answered and kissed Merlin again.

This time the kiss was passionate and any of boys wanted to break it.

"Well, well..." they heard Morgana's voice and immediately pulled apart. "I wonder what you would do if I didn't speak up." The woman smirked. "Merlin, remember that my dear brother is not in his best condition and he needs to rest."

"Morgana!" Both Merlin and Arthur groaned.

"What? I'm just worried." Morgana laughed. "You should've seen your faces now. Priceless."

"You're truly evil," Arthur mumbled.

"Perhaps. Nonetheless, it was me and Gwen who pushed Merlin into your arms."

"Fine," Arthur moaned. "I'm grateful so... what do you want?"

"Prepare your wedding?" Morgana asked innocently.

"Morgana!" The boys groaned, blushing deeply.

"I'm joking," she said and left the room to give her brother and Merlin some time in private. When the door was closed behind her, Morgana leant on the wall and whispered. "Or not."

The end

I have a feeling that I destroyed the damn atmosphere of four chapters. But I didn't want this story to be too much depressing. When the idea of Bromance is what you make it crossed my mind, I knew that it was going to end well. Nonetheless, I admit that there was a moment during writing when I wanted to change my mind. Women are changeable but eventually the original idea won my inner battle. I hope you liked it! Even if you did not, feel free to express it.

My next Merthur story should be up soon, though I haven't decided yet which of my ideas should be written down next. It's also possible that I'll publish Merlin/Lancelot oneshot sooner. It's gonna be something totally diffrent than this story. I just think I need to write something naughty and I have some image in my mind. ^^