He was supposed to be happy when this day came, but all Merlin could do was smile his fake smile and excuse himself with a petty excuse of feeling under the weather. Merlin grimaced at the shouts and praises in the room and sighed in relief when the door shut behind him and the sounds were muffled. He knew that reaching and clutching the area above his heart wouldn't stop the pain, but he tried to ease the intense pain spreading throughout his chest. If he thought when Freya was killed was the worst; he hadn't even imagined this pain.

Merlin knew that this day would come and he had welcomed it. Hell, he had even helped it to be. Though, he had never imagined that it would hurt him this much. Pushing himself off the wall outside Arthur's apartment, he walked down the hall. He made it to the stairs and down two flights before he tripped. His face nearly crashed into the ground if he hadn't attempted to place one hand in front of it. He lay awkwardly against the ground and wall and closed his eyes.

The pain increased in his chest and he clawed at his chest trying to make it stop. His eyes burned with tears and they licked their way down his cheeks and on to the ground. They stung his face and blurred his vision. Wiping them furiously, he stood up and noticed his ankle was stinging. Ignoring the pain, he stumbled down the last flight of stairs and out of the building. He wiped any tears that snuck out of his eyes and let tiny gasps for air break free.

Only a few people were out at this time and they seemed to have their own troubles and didn't give him a second glance. That made him grateful. He trailed down two blocks until he reached his small apartment on the corner. It was an old building with many problems, but to him it was home and it welcomed him inside.

Climbing the staircase to his hall, he pulled out his keys and unlocked the door. Pulling it open, he let it shut softly behind him and walked to his door. He stood outside his door not moving for a few seconds letting tears cloud his vision. Shaking he raised his hand, unlocked his door and pushed it open. Walking clumsily into his apartment, he barely shut the door before he dropped his keys and then himself on to his bed before letting his chest become infested with pain for good.

He pulled himself form his bed the next afternoon when he heard a knock on his door. Merlin had planned on staying in his apartment for the rest of the weekend, but someone planned differently. Rolling off the bed in an ungraceful motion, he stumbled to the door and hoped he looked presentable and opened the door.

Arthur stood beaming like a child and he pushed his way inside of the apartment. "Merlin! You are the most forgetful person I have ever met! Did you just now wake up?" He paused but didn't leave room for Merlin to speak. "No wait, I know you did because you're still wearing what you wore yesterday and you have creases on your face from your pillow still."

Merlin had a burst of anger and he was about to retort until he remembered why he was still in bed. His chest constricted and he glanced away from Arthur. "What did I forget this time?"

Arthur gave him a glare, "We were supposed to go visit our parents today, remember?"

"We were?"

"I swear Merlin, how do you even keep a job. Oh wait, you don't," Arthur yammered. "And leaving early yesterday during my big day? I mean come on! You are my best friend and I wanted you to be there and then Morgana had to tell me you went home because you felt ill? Seriously, you could have just said you were bored and didn't want to stay. You didn't have to make up that lie-"

"Shut up!" Merlin snapped. His face instantly turned red and he turned away from Arthur.

Merlin could hear Arthur breath deeply and walked forward a bit before stopping right before Merlin. "Merlin?" Arthur questioned softly, "Are you alright? What's eating you?"

"Nothing."

They stood in silence for a few moments and Arthur reached forward and rested a hand on Merlin's shoulder, "That's a lie."

Merlin couldn't think of a way to get out the situation and inside he felt a warmth take place in his stomach at Arthur's hand warming his shoulder. "It's just," he paused and leaned into the hand a little before stepping away. "Something has been on my mind for a while and I needed sometime to think about it."

"Something has been on your mind?"

He didn't sound convinced.

"Yes, I didn't want to worry anyone so I didn't say anything," he rushed out.

"Are you sure it isn't someone?"

Merlin's heart tightened. Does he know?

"Someone?" he squeaked.

"There is someone! Tell me! Who has grabbed your attention? Do I know them?" Arthur pestered.

Of course, he doesn't know. This is Arthur we are talking about. he doesn't understand small things very often unless told.

"There isn't anyone!" Merlin denied. They were facing each other and Merlin could only stare at Arthur's mouth as he prattled on about wanting to know.

Arthur kept up the pestering for a few minutes before Merlin snapped again.

"Why don't you mind your own damn business?"

Arthur's mouth shut and he frowned. His friend had never snapped that bad at him unless there was something huge troubling him. "Merlin, I'm-"

"I can't tell you," he whispered.

Arthur stared at him. "What? Why not?"

"You wouldn't understand and it isn't good," Merlin shook his head clearing his thoughts. "Anyway, are we going to the 'rents?"

Arthur stared a little longer at his friend and the fake smile plastered on his face. He nodded and they walked to the door after Merlin changed his clothes. The car ride was silent and all Arthur could think of was how Merlin's eyes weren't their normal blue. They had dulled to almost black and it frightened him.

Thanks for reading! Review?

-Courtney :D