AN: Question of the day: Does water taste different if it's from the tab or from a bottle? I think it does I feel like the tab one taste better.
Merlin opened his eyes again this time to find Arthur burying his face into Percival.
"He's asleep." Percival sighed noticed Merlin.
"What was that about?" Merlin responded with a question as he sat up.
"Don't ask me." Percival yawned fixing his position so his arm wouldn't fall asleep, "so your turn."
"Huh?" Merlin tilted his head before getting up and sitting in the chair next to Percival.
"What's been on your mind, with the trial and all." Percival said but as he looked at Merlin's face crunching he changed his question, "Ok how about, how long have you known you were gay?"
Merlin face softened as he started to think, Percival had know he hit a jackpot. It took a second before Merlin respond but Percival was just happy he said everything.
"I think I was 10 or 11 when I confirmed it with Gaius." Merlin smiled, "after he saw me get rejected by a guy."
Flashback
His first school dance, it was exciting for Merlin.
"Mom!" Merlin just up and down as he ran to her sitting on the couch.
"What is it Merlin?" She asked almost rolling her eyes.
"Can you take me shopping for clothes for the dance!" Merlin smiled brightly as he sat down on the same couch next to her.
"I'm too busy Merlin, go ask Gaius." She sighed right before leaning into the back of it.
"Ok!" Merlin frowned for a second but still kept up his happy spirit.
Merlin quickly ran over to the room Gaius has been staying in for years now knocking happily.
"Uncle Gaius!" Merlin smiled as he watched the door open.
"Why so happy my boy." Gaius grinned while he invited Merlin in.
"Mom told me to ask you if we can go shopping for the school dance." Merlin said then tilted his head, "Can we please."
Gaius frowned for a second as he looked into the living room before turning around and smiling at Merlin.
"Of course we can my boy, let me go get my shoes you go grab your coat." Gaius let his voice sound happier, "don't forget to make your bed before we go."
Merlin just cheered as he ran up to his room rushing and excited. Gaius on the other hand made he way into the living room where Hunith was still sitting.
"Why won't you take him to the store, the boy is clearly excited for the dance."
"I'm to busy, and besides it's just a dance there's no need to get so excited for it, he's gonna forget about it in less then a day. It's useless." She slightly chuckled not knowing Merlin was hearing it from the stairs.
"He's just a Boy, he's your kid you should be taking care of him more and your not busy I'm the one with a job!" Gaius quietly yelled as he made he way in front of her.
"I have a job and I'm making money!" She yelled standing up to face him.
"You spend all your money on men and drinks not on your only son!" Gaius was furious, "maybe if you would pay a little more attention to him he wouldn't be so pushing on you!"
"It's his fault I'm like this, if he wasn't here this never would have happened I would have a had a happy life with out that mistake of a son!" She yelled making Merlin run into his room and slam the door.
They all stopped, Gaius starred at her with anger clenching his first before he regretted anything.
"It is not his fault, you need to get act together before I take you to court for custody." Gaius whispered before following Merlin to his room.
Gaius heard crying from the inside knowing it was something no child should do. Merlin should be happy in his childhood not crying because his mom doesn't love him.
"Merlin, my boy open up." Gaius knew the door was unlocked but didn't force himself in.
Merlin sniffled before standing up and walking to the door. As he slowly opened it, all Merlin said was,
"Why does mommy not want me."
Gaius ran to him engulfing him into a hug right before Merlin's legs gave out. Tears fell loudly as he struggled to breath.
"W-W-What did I d-d-do wrong." Merlin cried trying to form any words.
"Nothing Merlin, you didn't do anything wrong." Gaius sighed as he held onto Merlin tighter scared to let him go , scared to let those thought engulfed him.
Merlin just cried though, almost not listening to what Gaius had said. He wanted to scream wanted to cry more, wanted to do anything but felt too weak to do so.
The stayed there for sometime trying to keep his thoughts at a minimum till he heard someone speak.
"Do you still wanna go shopping?" Gaius asked as he slowly started to let go of Merlin.
"Y-Yes." Merlin tried to smiled as he wiped his tears.
"Why don't we go the hmm I'll take you to get some ice cream after as well." Gaius looked at Merlin with sympathy as he grabbed Merlin's hand and started to walk down the stairs.
As the got down both boys noticed Hunith was gone and by the absents of a second car in the drive way she was out of the house to0. Probably going to a bar or near by club to get drunk.
Gaius said noting but just smiled as him and Merlin got into the car.
"So to the mall?" Gaius asked as he started the engine to the back car.
"Yay!" Merlin once again glowed in excitement making Gaius feel about better.
Quickly he turned on Merlin's favorite playlist as they drive to the closest mall. He wanted to distract Merlin, at this point it was his best bet to bring a smile back on his face.
"Come my boy." Gaius smiled as he parked his car close to the doors.
Merlin happily jumped out running to the front doors. Gaius quickly walked behind as the opened the doors into the huge mall. At least it was largely big compared to the rest of their towns stores.
Gaius smiled as he looked at Merlin jump up and in front of one of the first stores. He gestured to Merlin to walk into it as he started to walked next to him.
"So what the theme?" Gaius asked looking through an abundant of clothes on a rack.
"50s theme!" Merlin smiled, "can I get a leather jacket?"
"Why don't we find you a nice black jacket to wear." Gaius said as he started to walked to the jacket section.
They looked and searched through a couple of stores eventually finding Merlin a pair on black jeans and a black tether jacket to match.
