Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own it.

Warnings: Slash. Modern!Fic.

AN: I am so sorry for the long wait. Writer's block sucks! It was like I had forgotten to write a sentence properly or use a word in the right context. I'm still not sure I managed to do so correctly. But here is the next chapter. I hope it doesn't feel too forced or ridiculous. Thank you, everyone who left me a review, who alerted this and faved it!

Forever Yours

Chapter 8 – Make you Feel my Love

Merlin lay completely still, his arms neatly at his side and his chest moving up and down regularly. It was almost a peaceful image weren't it for the beeping machines at his side or the tubes sticking from his thin arms. Arthur swallowed heavily as his gaze traveled to a tired looking woman sitting at his side. Her large brown eyes seemed glued to Merlin's face and her hand was intertwined with his, but she reluctantly let him go when she saw Arthur enter.

Hunith smiled sadly. "Arthur, I'm glad to see you here."

For a short moment, nothing seemed to happen inside the room while all the noise came from the hallways. Passing patients and nurses, talking doctors and worried parents. Around Merlin, everything stayed quiet until Morgana pushed the wheelchair closer towards the bed so that they were directly besides it. If Arthur extended his hand now, he could easily touch Merlin's arm, but something held him back.

"How is he?"

"He is going to be okay," Hunith explained, her voice soft as if she was trying not to wake Merlin. Not that it mattered, Arthur thought, since Merlin couldn't hear them anyway. "The doctors are just waiting for him to open his eyes since surgery went well and there is no sign of any brain damage. We'll have to wait and see, though."

Slowly, Arthur nodded, letting all the information sink in.

Hunith suddenly stood, leaning forward to kiss Merlin's brow. "I'll give you a moment alone," she said while carefully brushing aside some of his short, black hair. It's a lovely gesture that Arthur has seen her do many times before, but he still feels a familiar sting in the pit of his stomach that tells him he craves for such motherly love as well, but his mother Igraine died years ago.

The mere thought of losing Merlin now as well makes him feel sick throughout his entire body.

It took Arthur a while before he realized he was alone in the hospital room and he quickly pushed aside the awkward emotions swirling in his chest. There was no reason to feel uncomfortable around Merlin since he's the one man on this earth that knows exactly how Arthur feels during every situation thrown at him. Still, he wasn't used to seeing Merlin like this and he rolled his wheelchair closer to his face, noticing dark circles underneath his lover's eyes.

"Hey," he paused to look down at him, "Merlin, I'm here."

It wasn't like in movies or books where one starts to wake when the love of his life enters his room and Arthur honestly doesn't care. He's willing to wait hours by his side for any sign of awareness. He's willing to wait days or weeks. Even months and years! Gently, he reached for Merlin's hand and it feels surprisingly warm. Then he moved his hand upwards until it touched Merlin's cheek and again he finds the skin soft and warm. Last time he felt it, it had been cold and clammy. Deathly.

Not being able to stand the eerie silence, Arthur decided to continue to talk. It almost didn't matter what he talked about, as long as Merlin could hear him because...perhaps he could hear him.

"I had a dream," he said, "one where I was in this big house and I saw a boy. You should have seen him, Merlin, he looked just like you. He was painting a drawing because it was almost your birthday and when you entered the room, he jumped up and gave you his piece of art." Arthur noticed he had begun to smile, but he didn't care. His dream had been a wonderful experience and he wanted to tell Merlin about it. "His name was Bran and we loved him with all our heart. We were so happy, Merlin, because it's what we always wanted, what we talked about. A home with a kid of our own."

Merlin didn't move or show any sign that he could hear Arthur.

"Just wake up," Arthur sighed, "please, Merlin, you have to wake up."

-o-o-

Arthur felt like he wanted to smack his broken wrist against a wall. The plaster irritated his skin and made it almost impossible to use his hand properly while Morgana kept treating him like a kitten she had to nurse back to health. His father on the other hand had barely spoken more than three words to him other than 'You look well'.

It was no secret that Uther blamed his son for the late mess he and his company were in. The last four days had been filled with nothing but press conferences and emergency meetings with the board of directors. As he was desperately trying to save his career, Uther Pendragon had no time for his son.

Arthur did not care, but Morgana continued to discuss the bad parenting skills of their father. He only wanted her to shut up which made him feel even worse.

Four days ago, he and Merlin had been involved in a car accident, but still Merlin had not woken. Hunith was ever so patient, believing that her son simply needed time, Gwen had not stopped crying since she heard the news and Lancelot remained - like always - reserved and polite while Arthur grew more and more angry.

He was used to getting what he wanted and all that he wanted right now, was Merlin to open his big blue eyes and crack his typical goofy grin at him, but nothing like that happened. Merlin kept still, his eyes closed and his lips unmoving. As hours went by - hours that had turned into days - Arthur had found it more difficult to enter the hospital room. It only seemed to be filled with disappointment. Not that Merlin was a disappointment! Arthur just felt completely...useless in there.

And so he stood before the window, gazing into the Merlin's room from the hallway. Merlin was alone since Hunith had been sent home to get some rest and Arthur had promised her to keep an eye on him. He knew he was breaking his promise by not sitting by Merlin's side, but he only needed a moment away.

"Arthur?"

Arthur spun around on his heels to find Gwen standing behind him, a large bouquet of flowers in her hand. He smiled almost apologetically at her. "I didn't hear you there, Gwen."

"Sorry," Gwen smiled, "I didn't mean to startle you. I brought these for Merlin," she motioned towards the flowers, "I felt his room needed some colour."

Arthur said nothing.

"You look well," Gwen seemed surprisingly uncomfortable, seemingly unable to deal with the silence that hung between them, "a little worried, but who wouldn't be. Merlin will be fine, you know, he always gets into trouble, but he always gets out of it. It's one of his many gifts."

"I suppose," Arthur sighed, turning back to gaze into the room.

"Arthur, have you even left the hospital since you woke yourself?"

"I can't leave his side," came his short answer.

"I see."

More silence.

"He said yes," Arthur suddenly said, his lower lip trembling slightly as all the memories came rushing back to him. It felt like a movie playing before his eyes, a movie with a bittersweet ending. "I asked him to marry me and he finally said yes. What am I supposed to do if he dies now? We had an entire life planned out and it would have been perfect, but now...now..."

Gwen stepped forward and embraced Arthur tightly. "Don't talk like that," she exhaled, "don't ever talk like that. You heard the doctors, they are simply waiting on Merlin to open his eyes. He will, Arthur, he will wake, but in his own time."

Arthur straightened his back, pulling himself from Gwen's arms and offering her a watery smile. "I know," he admitted, "but that doesn't make it easy."

-o-o-

Merlin felt surrounded by a darkness and he wanted to remember what had happened, where he was and who was with him. Because there was definitely someone with him since he could hear soft snores and a warm hand on his arm. The beeping of machines annoyed him and he craved for silence which never came.

Slowly, as if he expected his eyes to burn in pain once opened, he blinked, but the room was entirely dark. He didn't even need time to adjust and shapes instantly filtered through his gaze. A table, a window, curtains and a little fridge. His bed was small and a woman was sitting next to him, sleeping. It was too dark to see her actual face, but he already knew it was his mother. He could recognize her anywhere, even her smell was something he instantly knew.

Trying to sit up, pain shot through his shoulder and a groan slipped from his lips. He hadn't intended on making any noise, not wanting to wake Hunith, but she stirred for a second before opening her eyes who instantly fell on the moving figure of her son. "Merlin."

"Mom," his voice was hoarse and only now did Merlin realize how thirsty he actually was.

Hunith rose from her uncomfortable looking chair and pressed her lips against his cheek. Merlin could already feel the tears streaming down her face and it makes him wonder how long she has been sitting at his side, how long he has been unconscious. It also makes him wonder where Arthur was and if he was alright because he can remember every detail from their accident again.

"Arthur?"

"Shh," Hunith hugs him clumsily, "you need rest, sweety, so don't work yourself up. Arthur is fine and he'll be thrilled to see you again. He was very worried, we all were."

Merlin looked at the window again and noticed the high moon, realizing it must be the middle of night. Still, he craved to see Arthur, to feel him and hold him. It would be the final proof that he is truly alright. Slowly, he turned to look at his mother again. "He's alright," he sighed.

"Yes," Hunith leaned back in her chair, her hand never leaving Merlin's arm, "he has a broken wrist, but that's all. If you hadn't pushed him aside, dear, he would have been hurt severely. I'm proud of you, though you acted like an idiot."

Her words surprise him. "You're not mad?"

"Of course not," Hunith appeared hurt by those words, "I could never be mad with you. Besides, it doesn't matter. Had I been in your shoes, I would have done the same and I know that if you were given a second chance, you would do it again in a heartbeat."

Merlin nodded. "Arthur is probably sick with guilt."

"He is going through a difficult time, but seeing you awake will make it all better."

-o-o-

It was a little past nine when Arthur got the phone call. He had never had much contact with Hunith, but now he knew her number by heart and each time it appeared on the little screen of his cell phone, his heart leapt with terror. He was still expecting her voice to tell him that Merlin had passed away.

However, what she said made him laugh though he didn't know why exactly. Hearing that Merlin was awake, alert and talking had made his head swarm with a thousand different images. His future was again clear and Arthur dared thinking about it again. He dared picturing that boy from his dream, Bran, again.

The ride to the hospital had never before taken so long. First he had to wait on Morgana to pick him up since driving was still rather difficult with his broken hand. He could steer easily enough, but shifting into different gears was almost impossible and so it was only a little after ten that he arrived at the hospital, jumping out of the car and ignoring Morgana's pleas to take it slower.

She shouldn't have put on shoes with such a high heel.

Finding his way through the maze of hallways and corridors of the hospital had started to become a regularity. He knew the route by heart and even began to sprint near the end. All that mattered was seeing Merlin and if that meant knocking down some doctors and nurses in the process, than they were unfortunate casualties.

Reaching the last hallway, Arthur paused a second to catch his breath. He straightened his shirt, made sure his hair wasn't too messed up and checked if his breath wasn't too had no idea why he even cared for such formalities, but he figured he needed to look at least presentable if Merlin was to him again.

And then he walked into the room, finding the love of his life sitting up in bed, his hands resting in his lap and a smirk on his lips. The left side of his face was still covered in one large bruise, but Arthur barely noticed. "Arthur," Merlin breathed.

Arthur didn't hesitate and didn't care Hunith was in the room as well. He walked forward, took Merlin's head in his hands and kissed him like he had never done before, feeling Merlin's body relax in the process. Only when he was desperate for air did he release him and smiled. "I love you."

Merlin's hand found its way to Arthur's face and gently streaked his ckheek there. "I love you, too."

"Don't ever do that to me again," Arthur warned, a little voice in the back of his head telling him he should greet Hunith properly, "Merlin, don't scare me like that."

"Sorry," Merlin smirked. He pulled Arthur's face forward again and kissed his lips almost teasingly. It was only then that the two boys broke apart and Arthur apologized to Hunith for his behaviour.

The woman only chuckled. "It's alright."

The clacking of heels on flagstones echoed through the hallway and a moment later, Morgana appear. "Hello, Merlin," she greeted him with enthusiasm, turning to Hunith next, "hello, Hunith."

"Let's leave them alone," Hunith said. No one protested and Arthur waited until the two women had cleared the room before embracing Merlin again, thinking that he might not be able to let go of him ever again.

"You're suffocating me," Merlin said.

Arthur loosened his grip, but did not let go. "Are you in pain?"

Merlin's hands wrapped themselves around Arthur's waist. "My head hearts, my face feels bigger and my leg is numb."

"Nothing you can't handle." Arthur let go of Merlin then, albeit very reluctantly, but made sure that he still had contact with him. His hands never let go of Merlin's. "You saved my life."

"But you still got hurt." Merlin's eyes traveled towards Arthur wrist wrapped in plaster.

"Nothing I can't handle," Arthur joked.

"I remember you," Merlin suddenly said, his eyes staring into Arthur's, "you were in here and you were talking about a dream. Tell me again, Arthur, because all I can remember is that we were happy."

Arthur shot Merlin his most charming smile. "Because we were a family," he explained, feeling his entire body warm at the memory, "with a house to call our home and a son to call our own."

"Then that is what we'll have one day," Merlin smiled.

-o-o-

"I can handle it," Merlin snapped, grabbing the bag from Arthur's hands, "besides, the doctor told you not to carry anything heavy since you'll only put more stress on your wrist."

Arthur rolled his eyes in annoyance. "You know me and doctors," he said, "we have never gotten along very well."

"You will listen to them, Arthur Pendragon, because I won't kiss it better when you've had surgery."

"I don't need surgery," Arthur frowned.

"You will if you keep carrying heavy things. Don't pretend like you know it all better, it makes you look like a prat."

"Now you've hurt me," Arthur tried his best to appear hurt, a hand resting over his so-called broken heart, but he failed horribly as a smile still covered his lips.

Today was the day Merlin had been released from the hospital and it was wonderful day. The sun was shining, though it wouldn't have mattered even if it was pouring rain outside. This entire ordeal was finally over and Arthur couldn't wait until he could sleep with Merlin back in his arms, safe and sound.

"Do I have everything?" Merlin asked, ignoring Arthur's comment. He glanced around the completely empty room. Even the flowers were already gone.

"I think so," Arthur smiled, "let's get out of here. Let's go home because I have a surprise for you."

"Oh no," Merlin groaned.

"I cleaned," Arthur said proudly, "I cleaned everything."

"You did?" Merlin flung his arms around Arthur neck and kissed his passionately.

"It's strange that it makes you so enthusiastic."

"Do you know what I am going to do when we get home?" Merlin waited for Arthur to shake his head and gently caressed his neck and cheeks. Only then did he lean forward and kissed the tip of his nose, teasing Arthur in the way he knew best. "I am going to make you feel my love."

The End

AN: Thanks for having read this story. You guys rock!