Title: This time...
Rating: PG -13
Pairing/s: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon
Character/s: Merlin, Arthur Pendragon
Summary: Merlin has waited for Arthur a long, long time. Arthur is finally reincarnated and he promises that this time, things will be different.
Warnings: None
Word Count: 299 words
Prompt: Abandonmemt issues, Prompt #419 bingo round 2
Merlin twisted and turned in his sleep, he cried out, he sobbed softly and he called out Arthur's name again and again. It was heart wrenching to hear. Arthur put his arms around Merlin and pulled him close to his chest. "Merlin, honey, I'm right here. Wake up, sweetheart, please..."
Merlin quieted at the sound of Arthur's voice. His sobs subsided. He opened his eyes and Arthur's heart twisted at the sight of the pain in those deep blue eyes. "I'm here. I'm right here," he said again.
Merlin stared at him as the tears ran down his face. "I keep seeing you die in my dreams. I can't, I can't...not again, Arthur. I can't lose you again."
"Oh Merlin," Arthur said as he hugged his boyfriend, soulmate, forever love...there were no real words for what they were to each other. They had met just a week ago in this lifetime and they'd recognised each other immediately.
They'd ended up kissing within hours of meeting and they had been inseparable in the days since, clinging to each other because they had gone so long, centuries, just waiting to be together again.
"I'm not going to die young. Not this time," Arthur promised him. "This time, there will be no one else, no queen, no wife. This time I'm going to marry you and we're going to have a long life together. This time, I'm going to love you like you deserve."
Merlin buried his face in Arthur's chest and refused to let go. Arthur had no desire to let go either. So he held his love and watched him sleep, until sleep drew him under as well. His last coherent thought was that he was going to take Merlin shopping as soon as possible. They had rings to buy.
Part 2