#Time Travel in Back to the Future

[penny-anna]

hear me out. Dark & Back to the Future represent exactly opposite ends of the Time Travel Media Spectrum.

[larluce]

Merlin traveling back in time to save Arthur AU but with a twist!!

Merlin makes it to the sidhes, bringing a barely breathing Arthur with him. As expected, they ask for a price and Merlin offers his life, ignoring Arthur's protests.

Sidhe1: You're inmortal you can't die

Sidhe2: And even if you could, killing you would mean killing magic itself, therefore killing the earth itself.

Merlin: (crying desperate) I don't care! Take what you need! My blood, my magic, anything! Just save him!

Sidhe1: (smiling evily) I might know just the thing.

They never tell him what are they going to take from him, but he agrees. The sidhes start the ritual, while Arthur just keeps pleading weakely

Merlin: (smiling) If I somehow don't come back-

Arthur: (crying) Stop! Merlin don't do this. Please!

Merlin: I just want you to know that I love you.

Before Arthur can answer the ritual ends and Merlin blacks out.

When he wakes up he is in his way to Camelot in his old clothes and 10 years younger. He soon discovers he's been brought back to the very first day he met Arthur. He's confused. Have the Sidhes taken from him years of his life as a price? It doesn't make sense to him, but he decides to take advantage of this to prevent some things from happening.

Time goes by and while, in general, all events are repeating, not everything is happening as he remembers. Some people arrive in his live early, like Lancelot or Gawain. And Arthur treats him better? Like he says thank you to him more often and listens to him more. Merlin thinks it’s weird, but brushes it off thinking it’s due to the changes he's been making that some things are not quite the same.

Then the day comes when he finally reveals his magic to Arthur. He cries and Arthur hugs him telling everything its okey. Nothing its going to happen to him. Shortly after however Arthur also has a confession.

Arthur: I already knew.

Merlin: What?! Since when?

Arthur: the very start.

Merlin: How? I've been careful! More careful than before!

Arthur: Because you told me before. Well, not really before, but in the future. It’s complicated.

Merlin: Wait... you are from the future too?!

They are both surprised. They thought they were alone in this and it turns out they never were. Merlin cries all over again, apologazing for everything, for failing him, for not being able to save him, but-

Arthur: You did.

Merlin: ... What?

Arthur: You did save me.

Merlin: No, the sidhes tricked me. They sent us back in time-

Arthur: It was not them who did that. It was me.

Merlin: What... what are you saying?

Turns out what the ritual really did was turn Merlin into a small tree in exchange for saving Arthur’s life. A magic tree that would grow taller and taller and never die and whose ruts would expand making magic florish in the earth forever. Arthur of course was really upset after that. He demanded the sidhes to turn Merlin back but they only told him "what's done it's done" and that all he could do was pick the tree up before the roots growed if he wanted to move it elsewhere.

Arthur put the tree in a pot and brought it back to Camelot. Everyone was devasted with the news but they were also glad their king was alive and safe. No one blamed him, but Arthur always blamed himself. He repealed the ban as soon as he could and made sure everyone knew Merlin's involvement in the battle and later the other things he find out Merlin did for Camelot through Gaius. He made an anual event and a statue in Merlin's honor. Camelot slowly but surely welcomed magic again and became the most prosperous kingdom in the land.

Merlin: Oh...I don't remember being a tree.

Arthur: Yeah, I figured.

Merlin: But you repealed the ban! That's great! Magic was free again in the-wait... so why did you do all this if everything was fine? And how did you do it?

Arthur: Everything was NOT fine Merlin. You weren't there!

Merlin: (utterly confused) I was. As a tree.

Arthur: You know what I mean! You were there but you weren't. We mourned you but you were still alive. I kept you in that pot for longer that I should have because I wanted to keep you close all the time, yet looking at you was so painful... Gwen had to scold me into finally plant you in the garden so you could grow properly. I was broken inside, while trying to rule a kingdom. I kingdom we should have ruled together from the start!

Merlin: ...

Merlin: You're telling me you somehow traveled us back in time and throw away the golden age, your dream of uniting all Albion and all you worked hard for... just because you missed me?

Arthur: And because I couldn't say it back.

Merlin: What?

Arthur: That I love you too.

NEXT PART OF THIS AU HERE -> PART 2

[phykoha]

"weird little things..."

[scipunk]

Back to the Future (1985)

[famousmyth]

time travel buddies having a jam session ^_^ commissions

[leseigneurdufeu]

as much as i love the trope of a time traveler picking the name of a famous actor/character as their new name when they are asked for their name in the past/future, i would love if it was used for drama, and by that I mean, Marty McFly turns back at the bar and says his name is Clint Eastwood, and someone at a table starts choking on their beer because they recognize the name, Ray Palmer pins the star on his lapel and says his name is John Wayne, and the girl hanging in the background wheezes, Rufus tells former soldiers his name is Denzel Washington and someone facepalms behind him... because they are not the only time travelers around.

The "problem" is that when this trope is used, not being the only time traveler around is hardly the biggest problem they have in the episode/movie (not getting killed, not getting killed, not getting Lincoln killed/not killed) but I so wish the blatant pseudonyms were a dead giveaway of who's a time traveller more often.

[sahind]

“If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 88 miles per hour… you're gonna see some serious shit.“ Back to the Future (1985) Directed by Robert Zemeckis

[pinardenizs]

“Right, she is your destiny ... Go after her. Don't give up until you find her.”

Midnight at the Pera Palace, 2.01

[gentlemanmotorslifestyle]

[atomic-chronoscaph]

Back to the Future Part II (1989)

[myokk]

🥺

[larluce]

Arthur and Merlin travel back in time without knowing the other is from the future too AU (SERIES 2)

FIRST PART (SERIES 1) >> PREVIOUS PART >> NEXT PART

(My apologies in advance, I couldn't write the smut, but I know exactly how it went, so you may ask me any questions related to their first time in the comments)

Merlin is no strange to waking up next to Arthur. He's been sleeping in his bed for over a week after all. They also slept next to each other back in the farm, back in Ealdor and everytime they camped outside.

Waking up curled up together after they have given theirselfs to one another, in body and soul, is an entire different experience. He wakes up with a smile plastered on his face. He feels like in a dream, floating, but also like falling. It's the kind of feeling is so overwhelming it's painful, but it's painfully pleasant.

Arthur's arms are around him, his naked chest against his back. Merlin turns in his arms slowly, needing to see him, needing to make sure that it happened, that this is real. The pain in his lower back as he moves is enough to confirm it though.

Merlin: (groans in pain)

Arthur: (opens his eyes slowly and then smiles) Hey.

Merlin: Don't "hey" me. You destroyed me!

Arthur: (chuckles) I don't recall you complaining. In fact, I clearly remember you constantly crying for more.

Merlin: Shut up!

Arthur: And changing positions was not my idea.

Merlin: I just wanted to be more comfortable!

Arthur: I'm just saying, I wanted to be gentle and you didn't let me.

Merlin: Yeah, because I totally forced you. My mistake. (tries to get up, but Arthur's arms are steel around him) Arthur.

Arthur: (eyes closed) Uhm?

Merlin: I have to get your breakfast.

Arthur: Let someone else do it.

Merlin: (chuckles) How can I tell someone else to do it if stay here?

Arthur: Then get it later.

Merlin: I also have chores to do.

Arthur: No, I give you the day off. Sleep.

Merlin: Gaius may need me.

Arthur: Sleep.

Merlin: (smiling) Alright.

Merlin wishes he could stay like this forever. Eventually though, Merlin has to get up and Arthur too.

Merlin slightly limping around the castle doesn't go unnoticed to anybody, nor Arthur smug smile everytime he catches Merlin limping. Already used to the rumors and the eyes on him, Merlin can't mind less though.

It turns out he should have.

In Arthur's chambers. Leon knocks on the door, but no one answers, so he enters.

Leon: (entering) Your highness, I'm sorry for entering like this but- (notices no one is there) He must still be in the meeting with the king. (notices there are flowers petals on the floor and spots a chemise on the floor) ... what? (walks to it and picks it up. Sighs in dissapointment) So the rumors are true.

Merlin: (enters)

Leon: (Quickly hides the chemise behind his back)

Merlin: Leon? What are you doing here?

Leon: I-I was looking for the Prince.

Merlin: (rolls his eyes) He's still discussing with Uther how to execute Kendrick for what he attempted to do to Morgana, or rather dicussing ways to torture him before the execution. They'll probably just let Morgana decide his punishment in the end. (notices Leon is holding something behind his back) What do you have there?

Leon: (too quickly) Nothing! 😅

Merlin: ... Okay? Normally I would run around you until you show me, but, I'm too sore and tired for that. (about to start tidying up the room)

Leon: What are you doing?

Merlin: Cleaning?

Leon: Didn't Arthur give you the day off?

Merlin: He did, but knowing him he'll probably just let this room dirty and messy until tomorrow, so I rather do it at once before it accumulates.

Leon: I'll call other sevants to do it!

Merlin: Is not really a problem-

Leon: I insist! You rarely have a day off, you should enjoy it as much as you can.

Merlin: (unsure) Arthur doesn't like other servants cleaning his chambers.

Leon: He doesn't have to find out it wasn't you. And if he does, I'll tell him it was my idea. Go enjoy your free day, you deserve it.

Merlin: (smiles) Thank you, Leon! You are such a good friend. (leaves)

Leon: (sighs in relief, but also feels bad) No, I'm not a good friend... (searches around the room for whatever thing could give away Arthur's affair, while he talks to himself) He's been limping since this morning, but if Arthur slept with this lady last night, then when...or could it be... (opens his eyes wide) WAS HE WITH BOTH?! 😨

Time skip. In the stables.

Princess: (neighs happily as he watches Merlin aproaching)

Merlin: Princess! (caresses her head) How's my Baby Plum doing? Have they been feeding you well? I missed you so much! (joins their heads fondly)

Lancelot: (who was close by, aproaches) Seriously, how do you do it? She's only ever this sweet with you.

Merlin: I don't know. Maybe is my weird connection to nature.

Lancelot: (pauses) It was the trees who warned you about the bandits, wasn't it? Back in the woods.

Merlin: (nods) Their voices are... stronger everyday. It's not bad, just... weird. Sometimes they talk to me as if...

Lacelot: As if what?

Merlin: As if I was one of them.

Knight x: (passing by) Lowering your standars now that the Prince replaced you, I see.

Merlin: What?

Knight x: (just laughs and leaves)

Merlin: (turns to Lancelot) What is he talking about?

Lancelot: (nervous) Uh...

Merlin: (crosses his arms) Lance, what is he talking about? 😑

Lancelot: Well... you know how you and Arthur weren't exactly discret when you showed affection to one another yesterday?

Merlin: Yes, we are always like that.

Lancelot: Yeah, the problem is that yesterday you weren't you. You were Lady Merelyn, remember? So... they think Arthur cheated on you with her.

Merlin: WHAT?! 😨

Lancelot: Look. I don't have all the details. You know I don't really enjoy gossip. But, as far as I know, most of the nobels are making fun of you, the servants pity you. Oh, and the Unicorn Catcher defenders are diminishing Arthur's affair, saying you are still the favourite, though they dread you could lose your position.

Merlin: I see...(sighs) They like gossip, uh? (grins) I'll give them gossip.

Meanwhile. Arthur walking in a hallway, encounters Leon.

Arthur: Oh, Leon. Have you seen Merlin?

Leon: I encountered him in your chambers about an hour ago, sire, but I don't know where he could be now.

Arthur: Thank you-wait, what were you doing in my chambers.

Leon: I needed to speak to you privatly, sire. About... an urgent matter.

Arthur: Which is?

Leon: I... well... (sighs, frustrated and starts pacing)

Arthur: (between confused and worried) Is... everything alright?

Leon: (stops pacing a turns to Arthur with decision) May I speak freely, my lord?

Arthur: Uhm... sure. Go ahead.

Leon: You are my Prince, but you are also my friend. You earned my oath and my repect, not just because of your title, but because I grew up with you and I got to know the kind of man you are. For years I admired your honorability, your honesty and your loyalty.

Arthur: Thank you, that's a really nice thing to say. But what does it have to do with-

Leon: But I'm not seeing this man right now!

Arthur: ... I beg your pardon?

Leon: When the knights and visiting nobels said you'd start sleeping with other people eventually, I never once believed it! Because I've seen your love and devotion for Merlin from the start! I believed you uncapable, because I thought you valued honor and fidelity. But I guess I was wrong.

Arthur: What on earth are you talking about?

Leon: Of your affair with Lady Merelyn!

Arthur: (finally understanding) Ooh! (laughs)

Leon: You think this is funny, my lord?

Arthur: No, no! It's just. Leon, you got it all wrong. I was never unfaithful to Merlin.

Leon: Really? (pulls out the chemise) Then what was this undergarment doing in your chambers, Sire?

Arthur: Okay, I guess it does look bad. But I swear is not what it looks like-

Leon: You don't own me an explanation, Sire. And I won't tell Merlin anything because my loyalty stays with you above else. But I fear everyone in the castle already knows of your affair, so if you don't want Merlin finding out by other source, you better be honest with him. (bows) Sire (leaves)

Arthur: (shouts) Leon, is not- (cuts himself, thinking) Wait, I shouldn't tell him before I consult it with Merlin first. And I don't think he would believe my word even if I explain.

Time skip. In the training field, Arthur about to start training with the knights.

Merlin: (arrives with a serious face, wearing his old clothes)

Knights: (look at him with mockery)

Knight x: (whispering) You see that?

Knight y: (whispering) That's why you can't rely on affection to get you up the ladder. The higher you are, the harder the fall will be.

Arthur: (turns and smiles) Merlin! I've been looking everywhere for... (notices Merlin's wearing his old clothes and frowns) Why are you wearing that?

Merlin's wardrove has improved since Arthur's been gifting him better clothing from time to time. Nothing too extravagant, Arthur made sure the clothes matched Merlin's simple style, but they are elegant enough to let everybody know about Merlin's status as his lover. Before, Merlin would wear them just in especial events or ocassions and it was when they finally got together that he started wearing them more often. So seeing Merlin in his old clothes is... unsettling.

Merlin: These are my clothes, my lord.

Arthur: You have better clothes now.

Merlin: The ones you gifted me, I'm aware.

Arthur: Then why aren't you wearing them?

Merlin: The thing is, my lord, I don't want anything from you.

Knights: 😧😧😧😧😧😧😧😧

Servants around: 😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱

Arthur: (very confused) What?

Merlin: (face contorts in rage and hurt) You thought I would never find out of your affair?! How could you do this to me?!

Arthur: (nervous and very scared) Merlin, I swear is not what 😰-wait, you already know! 😠

Merlin: And you have the nerve to say it so lightly! (covers his face and pretends he's crying) I thought you loved me!

Arthur: (in panic) I do! (runs to him) Merlin, the lady they're talking about, you must know it's- (about to put a hand on his shoulder)

Merlin: (gets his hands off his face and shouts) Don't touch me! If you want to have more lovers so be it, but I don't want you to touch me ever again! We are over! 😡 (leaves dramatically)

Arthur: Merlin! (runs after him)

Knight y: It seems the lady didn't catch his attention for long.

Knight x: How can the prince stoop to running after him?

Knight z: So… is the training cancelled?

Meanwhile, in some hidden place of the castle.

Merlin: (enters)

Arthur: (right behind him) Merlin, please listen to me! Is not-

Merlin: (turns) Are we alone?

Arthur: (more confused) What?

Merlin: There's no one here, right?

Arthur: No, I don't think so.

Merlin: Oh, good. (relaxes)

Arthur: (takes his hands) Merlin, I would never EVER cheat on you. I love you too much for that. You must have heard wrong! The lady they are talking about-

Merlin: Is Lady Merelyn.

Arthur: Yes, and... wait, you know?! 😨

Merlin: Of course I know! I'm not stupid. I know you would never cheat on me.

Arthur: (in relief) Oh... okay...(shouts, furious) THEN WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT ALL ABOUT?! 😡

Merlin: Shh! Not so loud, you're going to ruin it!

Arthur: Ruin what?

Merlin: The act.

Arthur: Act?

Merlin: My offended lover act.

Arthur: Again. What?

Merlin: Everyone thinks you cheated on me with Lady Merelyn. Obviously, I can't tell them I impersonated a Lady. They would make more fun of me and your dad would have me killed for sure. But I can't have them thinking you are losing interest in me or that I don't have any kind of dignity either, so... I decided to give them a show. 💁‍♂️

Arthur: And you didn't think of giving me a warning before making your show? I thought you were actually leaving me!

Merlin: (feeling bad, holds Arthur's face with one hand fondly) I'm sorry, I really didn't want to scare you, but I needed your reaction to be genuine. You are not as good at lying as me.

Arthur: (thinking) You'd be surprised... (sighs, still kind of mad, but puts his hand over Merlin's) You do realize your show consists in making me look like a scoundrel, right?

Merlin: Nobody thinks you are scoundrel.

Arthur: Leon thinks it.

Merlin: Well, he is the only one. (gets his hand off Arthur's face and sighs, crossing his arms and with slumped shoulders) Everyone else thinks you have the right to have all the lovers you want. That I should be grateful that you still show any interest in me at all after "Lady Merelyn"... And they are right. After all, you are the Prince and I just a servant.

Arthur: That's not true!

Merlin: It is true. But is not the only thing we are. And yet that's the only thing they see.

Arthur: And since when do you care what other people say or think?

Merlin: (explodes) Since we are together! It's not like I don't know how things are. Even if I wasn't a servant and a commoner, I'm still a man, so it's not like we can marry or anything. I know our relationship can't be formal or official in any way, but I want it to be at least taken seriously!

Arthur: ...

Merlin: (composes himself) So... I think a couple of weeks of cold shoulder should be enough. Then you can give me some luxurious gift, I pretend to forgive you for your "affair" and that would be it.

Arthur: (rolls his eyes) The only time you ask something luxurious of me and is for this charade. And you will give me the cold shoulder for two weeks? Really?

Merlin: Just when people are looking? In private we can still be very affectionate. 😏

Arthur: 😒

Merlin: Please? 🥺

Arthur: (sighs) Fine. But tell Leon the truth. I can't handle his disappointed look anymore.

Merlin: I will (hugs him, happily) Thank you. 😊

Arthur: (smiles without been able to help it and hugs back, thinking) He doesn't have the right to be this cute.

Time skip. In the main square.

Merlin: (walking with Gaius' herbs in a cest)

Gwaine: Excuse me, have you seen-

Merlin: (turns)

Gwaine: 😦 ...

Merlin: What? Do I have something on my face?

Gwaine: Do you have a sister by any chance?

Merlin: No, why?

Gwaine: It's just... you look very similar to a girl a met yesterday.

Merlin: (crosses his arms) Are you saying I look like a girl? 🤨

Gwaine: No, no! I mean, you are... very masculine for a... uhm... what is that you do?

Merlin: (about to tell "The prince's manservant", but decides to keep that information to himself for now) Physician apprentice.

Gwaine: Oh, you are Gaius' apprentice?

Merlin: You know him?

Gwaine: I'm sharing a room with another pair of men in his tower.

Merlin: (laughs in amusement)

Gwaine: (laughs too, realising his choice of words) I guess it kind of sounds bad.

Merlin: No, it sounds funny. (pauses) wait...(fakes surprise and excitment) OH! You must be one of the famous saviors that rescue Lady Morgana yesterday! 😃

Gwaine: (smugly) Well, I wouldn't call myself "savior". I did what anyone would have done in my place.

Merlin: Not anyone. What you did was very brave. (pats his arm)

Gwaine: (blushes a bit, thinking) What is this? She looks so much like this lady that I'm confusing him with her. Get yourself together!

Merlin: So, are you looking for Lady Morgana?

Gwaine: Pardon?

Merlin: You said you were looking for a girl, I'm assuming it's her.

Gwaine: Oh, no. I'm looking for the lady that was accompanying her, actually. Lady Merelyn. Do you have any idea of where she could be?

Merlin: Uhm... not really. Nobody has heard of her since yesterday.

Gwaine: (frustrated) It's like she vanished into thin air! (sighs) I told her she couldn't trust that prince! I bet he discarded her as soon as he learned she was tainted by that bandit. And he wasn't even faithful to her. Did you know the prince has a male lover.

Merlin: (gasps) Really?

Gwaine: And his manservant of all people! Look, I don't judge. I myself had my flings there and there. And I do appreciate men beauty. But reject a woman like Lady Merelyn for a man? Really?

Merlin: (chuckles) She got you bad, uh?

Gwaine: Me? (snorts) Nah, I'm just a bit worried about her, it's all. She mustn't be coping well after, well, everything. And she may need a shoulder to cry on, if you know what I mean. 😏

Merlin: (chuckles) Good luck with that. (turns to leave)

Gwaine: (stops him) Oh, let me carry that for you. (points the cest)

Merlin: (lifts his eyebrows in bewilderment and then smiles, amused) Still confusing me for a girl, I see.

Gwaine: Not really. But as I said, I also appreciate men beauty. 😏

Merlin: (mouth open)

Gwaine: (very surprised) It's incredible! You even have her expressions.

Merlin: Oh, so I'm a replacement then.

Gwaine: No, I-

Merlin: Are you even into men or are you so desperate to have this girl that you would lay with anyone that resembles her?

Gwaine: I didn't mean to-

Merlin: Offend? Because that's the only thing you've been doing since you open your mouth.

Gwaine: (sighs) You are right. My apologies.

Merlin: (turns to leave)

Gwaine: (puts himself infront of him) Can I point out something though? (gets closer) You never once said you weren't into men 😏.

Merlin: I am into men. (looks him up and down) But I have taste.

Gwaine: (brings a hand to his chest dramatically) Ow! You hurt my feelings. How am I going to survive this? Ugh! My heart, I can't bare it! (drops himself on the ground)

Merlin: (thinking, fondly) He really hasn't changed a thing. (kneels and says) Are you done?

Gwaine: (opens one eye) This isn't working isn't it?

Merlin: No.

Gwaine: (chuckles and lifts his back from the ground) Come on, at least let me invite you a drink for the troubles. I know I good tavern nearby.

Merlin: (smiles) Of course you do, Gwaine.

Gwaine: (smiles back but then frowns) Wait... How do you know my name?

Merlin: I would gladly accompany you (extends a hand)

Gwaine: (takes his hand with a triumphant smile)

Merlin: But you see... (pulls his hand away and speaks in a more high pitched tone) I'm still waiting for my ring. (shows his ring finger in a very girly manner)

Gwaine: (Gwaine exe has stopped working) 😨

Merlin: (lifts his head and spots something behind Gwaine) Oh, hi Arthur! 😊

Arthur: (just arrived, very hectic, in barely contained fury and with labored breathing)

Merlin: (stands up and frowns, worried) You look like you just came from a race. Is everything okay?

Just moments before in Arthur's chambers. Arthur on his desk.

Arthur: (thinking, while looking at a parchment) The kidnapping attempt on Morgana was handled. Then what? Is Morgause coming already? No, the troll was first and then... (slams the scroll on the desk, frustrated) Ugh! I can't remember! (stands up and decides to go to the window to take a breath. While he does, he spots Merlin very afar coming back with Gaius' herbs, relaxes inmediatly and smiles) He shouldn't be walking this much. Is he still limping? (smirks and starts to have no so good thoughts remembering their first time together and then forces himself to snap out of them) Damn you, Merlin. I can't concentrate nor when you are here, nor when you are not.

Someone knocks on the door.

Arthur: (turns, but stays near the window) Come in.

Leon: (enters, head down, very ashamed and embarrased) Sire. (bows)

Arthur: (sighs and crosses his arms, serious) I'm assuming Merlin already told you.

Leon: I have no words to express how sorry I am-

Arthur: For what exactly? Thinking ill of me? Believing in some rumors before my own word? Or for basically insulting me on my face?

Leon: All of it. I'm really sorry. I didn't recognise Merlin when he was... and then all the proof seemed to indicate... But that's not excuse. I failed as a knight and as a friend and will never forgive myself for-

Arthur: (laughs)

Leon: (lift his head in confusion)

Arthur: Keep going, you were getting to the best part.

Leon: (more confused) Uh... well...

Arthur: I'm joking. I'm not mad at you. I probably would've thought badly too if I was in your place. And, though it hurt my feelings a bit that you believed me capable of being unfaithful, I'm actually more glad that you care for Merlin so much you called me out on my supposed love affair. So thank you, for caring for him and for not mincing words to tell me when you believe I'm doing wrong.

Leon: (smiles, releaved) You are welcome, Sire.

Arthur: It also has come to my attention that not all the knights think like you. (tells Leon to come to the window with a gesture) Tell me... What do the knights think of Merlin?

Leon: (hesitates) Uhm...

Arthur: I want complete honesty.

Leon: Well, knights like Sir Innprudence, Sir Ewan and Sir Owain, may they rest in peace, respected and valued Merlin because they witnessed your story from the start. They got to know Merlin and knew the depth of your feelings. It's really a shame they never got to see... (his eyes water) I'm sorry. (wips a tear away)

Arthur: (puts a comforting hand on his shoulder and gives him a soft empathetic smile) It's okay. You were there when... when the questing beast happened, so I know it's not easy to talk about them. Take your time.

Leon: (pauses to compose himself and then continues) The thing is, most of the knights we have now are new. And for them Merlin is just your whim of the moment, a bed warmer, nothing more. They would never dare to harm him or insult him, much less if you are looking, but they do insult and talk ill of him behind Merlin's back. I'm not going to go into the details, but their thoughts on your relationship are not different from your father's.

Arthur: So they think Merlin is using me just for riches and power and that I'm using him just to get laid.

Leon: To sum up, yes sire.

Arthur: And Merlin is aware of this?

Leon: Sire, when is Merlin not aware of something?

Arthur: True...(sighs) And I guess me showing affection towards "Lady merelyn" didn't help with that. (looks guilty)

Leon: Merlin doesn't blame you, sire.

Arthur: But I should've been more careful. I promised I would cherish him and protect him and... (thinking) and somehow I still ruin it.

Leon: You can't change the past. What matters now is that you are doing something to remedy it. Merlin also told me about his plan.

Arthur: You mean his "offended lover act"? Yeah, that's why I'm keeping my distance. I still think this is absurd, but if he is so invested on this charade, then I'll support him.

Leon: (smiles, proud) You are very mature, sire. Merlin is very lucky to have someone so wise and considerate as his lo-

Arthur: THAT LECHEROUS BASTARD! 😡

Leon: ...excuse me, Sire?

Arthur: (points through the window, furious) There! Look!

From Arthur's window, they both can appreciate Merlin and Gwaine interacting.

Leon: I'm sure they are just talking, my lord.

Arthur: No, I know his kin, he's flirting with my Merlin!

Leon: You just met the man yesterday.

Arthur: Look! They are laughing!

Leon: Maybe he told him a joke.

Arthur: (mouth open) No... he didn't just... He patted his arm! 😤

Leon: A very friendly gesture.

Arthur: (fuming)

Leon: As I was saying, is admirable that you support and respect Merlin's idea no matter what-

Arthur: (leaves running)

Leon: (sighs) Well... at least Lancelot will have a new partner at the stables.

Back to the present.

Arthur: (grabs Merlin and pulls him away from Gwaine, a possesive arm around Merlin's waist)

Merlin: (looks at him, confused) Arthur?

Gwaine: (still on the floor, mumbles to himself, looking at Merlin and Arthur) The prince's mistress... The prince's male lover... the... OH! (finally puts the pieces together)

Arthur: (to Gwaine) You. What do you think you are doing? 😑

Gwaine: Uhm, you know, (puts his arms behind his head and crosses his legs, smiling) taking the sun. With a beauty by my side. Until you interrupted us.

Arthur: Don't be ridiculous. Stop harassing Merlin.

Gwaine: (offended) I'm not harassing anyone!

Arthur: I saw you holding his hand and also how he pulled away uncomfortably from you. In my language that's harassment.

People around: (who have been staring for a while, start to murmur between them)

Merlin: Arthur, relax. He wasn't-

Gwaine: (stands up) What is the problem your highness? Feeling insecure?

Arthur: (about to lunge at him)

Merlin: (stops him, puting himself infront of Arthur, hands on his chest) Arthur, no.

Gwaine: (raises hands as in surrender) I mean, I get it. Any man would feel insecure with this face the gods have blessed me with.

Arthur: (struggling with Merlin) Insecure? of you? (scoffs) Why should I feel insecure about a simple foreign who has no honor or a coin in his pocket. A nobody whose only reason for being in the castle is because he got into a fight with some bandits.

Gwaine: (standing tall, raising his voice) This nobody was able to defeat the bandits that even the royal guards couldn't! But don't worry, I don't expect your gratitude. (looks at Merlin) Your lover's gratitude is more than enough for me. (checks Merlin out shamelessly)

Arthur: (furious) Now you are dead! (tries to lunge at him again)

Merlin: (his arms around Arthur now to stop him) Don't! Arthur, please! (spots Lancelot and Leon in the distance and yells) Lancelot, Leon, help!

Lancelot: (runs to help Merlin to contain Arthur)

Leon: (who ran downstairs as soon as he saw Arthur had no intentions to be civil, hurries to help Merlin to contain Arthur too)

Gwaine: Leave him! I want to see if the prince's skill is as praised and to check if he is really the best warrior in Camelot. Although considering the skills of the royal cavalry, I highly doubt it.

Arthur: I can show you whenever you want! (struggles harder against Lancelot and Leon hold)

Gwaine: Yes, you're probably used to beating all your knights. The difference between me and them is that I'm not going to hold back, nor will I let you win for fear of losing my position.

Leon: (very offended, about to talk in defense of his prince) You-

Merlin: (raises his voice, angry) Enough! Gwaine, you're being very disrespectful. You're talking to the Prince of Camelot. How dare you insult his skills? He's the greatest knight I've ever seen. Arthur has worked and trained very hard since he was a child. You have no right to talk to him like that.

Leon and Lancelot: (look at Merlin, the person who disrespects and insults the prince 24/7, like he growed a second head)

Gwaine: Are you going to slap me again, my lady? 😏

Arthur: He slapped you?! 😨 What did you do to Merlin to make him slap you the first time?! 😡 (struggles even harder, more furious)

Merlin: (to Lancelot and Leon) Take him away.

Lancelot and Gwaine: (start dragging Arthur away)

Arthur: (keeps kicking and screaming as he is dragged away) Let go of me! I'll kill him! What did the fuck did you do?! 😤 (and he's gone)

Merlin: (turns to Gwaine, very serious) No, I'm not going to slap you, but if you keep insulting him I will hit you and not like a lady. (leaves)

Gwaine: Wait, I didn't get your name! (watches Merlin leave, still with a grin on his face) Damn.

Percival: (gets to Gwaine walking through the people gather for the conmotion) I should have know it was you who was making such scandal. (looks in the direction where Arthur, Merlin, Lancelot and Leon left) Was that the prince? What trouble did you get yourself into this time?

Gwaine: (innocently) I don't look for trouble. Trouble finds me.

Percival: Sure 😒. Have you decided what are we going to ask the King yet?

Gwaine: Oh, I know exactly what I'm going to ask.

Meanwhile, somewhere inside the castle.

Merlin: (very angry) What the fuck was that?!

Arthur: (very angry too) I should be the one asking! (to Leon and Lancelot) You let go of me already!

Lancelot and Leon: (let go)

Merlin: I'm not the one who almost beated a man in the middle of the main square for no reason!

Arthur: (almost shouting in disbelief) No reason?!

Merlin: Gwaine went too far with his words, I won't deny that, but you were agressive with him even before that. You weren't just acting like a clotpole or a dollophead, you were hysterical!

Arthur: (very sarcastic) Hysterical?! Why would I be hysterical?! It's not like I just witnessed a man flirting with you from my window, that said man insulted me on my face, and then you prevented me from putting him in his place!

Merlin: He wasn't-wait, you were watching me from your window? 😦

Arthur: Don't change the subject! (accusingly) What were you doing with Gwaine?

Merlin: Nothing! We were just talking.

Leon: Sire, may I suggest-

Arthur: No, you may not.

Lancelot: (opens his mouth)

Arthur: You neither! (to Merlin again) I'm just saying you weren't exactly rejecting his attentions back there.

Merlin: First you say I was being harassed and now you say I was flirting. Make up your mind, will you? (pauses, realising) Wait... you are acting like this just because you are jealous? Really?

Arthur: (sarcastic) No, I'm not jealous, Merlin. It's not like you have given me reasons. Or have you?

Merlin: (stony face and neutral voice) You are right. I have given you none.

Arthur: (realises Merlin now is really, really mad, thinking) Fuck.

Lancelot and Leon: 😰😰

Arthur: Merlin-

Merlin: For your sake I advice you to choose your next words very carefully.

Arthur: It's not that I don't trust you. I just want to understand. Merlin, when I arrived you... you were holding hands!

Merlin: So? I'm a man, Arthur, not a woman. I can have contact with other men. Stop treating me like some maiden or damsel in distress!

Arthur: (yells) I DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE A MAIDEN, I TREAT YOU LIKE MY LOVER!

Merlin:...

Lancelot and Leon: ...

Servants around: 🫢🫢🫢🫢🫢🫢🫢🫢

Arthur: (takes a deep breath to compose himself, just barely, and says in a deep voice) I treat you like my lover, because that's what you are. My lover, my Merlin, MINE. So forgive me if I'm offended to see MY lover holding hands with another man, a man who has clearly shown his interest in you!

Merlin: ...

Servants around: (murmur)

Leon: (coughs) As I was trying to suggest before, maybe you should take this argument to somewhere more private, my lord.

Time skip. Arthur and Merlin alone in Arthur's chambers.

Merlin: Gwaine met me as Lady Merelyn and today I revealed it to him she was me. That was it. We were joking. It was a joke, nothing more.

Arthur: So what history do you have as Lady Merely with Gwaine?

Merlin: Arthur.

Arthur: I'm not saying you were unfaithful. But I did hear something about a ring in that joke of yours and he said you slapped him, so you can't blame me for being curious.

Merlin: (sighs) He did flirt with Lady Merelyn, alright, but never overstepped. He just did a few compliments there and there. But then Lancelot told him I was "the prince's mistress" and I guess his pride were wounded because he started to talk bad about you. That's when I slapped him and gave him a piece of my mind.

Arthur: And the ring part?

Merlin: Well, in our argument, he kind of claimed he could give me "comittement" so I asked "where's my ring?"

Arthur: WHAT?! 😨

Merlin: To shut him up. I knew the kind of man Gwaine was from the start. As soon as I mention the ring he panicked and stopped bothering me.

Arthur: (gives a long sigh)

Merlin: Are you calm now?

Arthur: I'll be once he leaves this castle.

Merlin: Why? I just told you his interest was in Lady Merelyn, not me.

Arthur: He flirted with you as a man too, Merlin.

Merlin: He was joking! He just wanted to mess with you. And of course you let him get to you as the clotpole you are!

Arthur: ...

Merlin: What?

Arthur: That's really what you believe, don't you?

Merlin: Well, why else would he do it?

Silence.

Merlin: Look, I've been walking all day and I'm tired. So I'll be in my room resting while you think about your behaviour today. (leaves, going to his chambers)

Arthur: (murmurs to himself, incredulous) He has... no idea. (laughs dryly) He really has NO IDEA.

Arthur's flashback. Percival visiting Gwaine's grave.

Arthur: (aproaches Percival) Percival.

Percival: My lord.

Arthur: I believe I own you an apology. I was so self absorbed in my grieve, that I didn't notice you were grieving too. Gwaine was my friend too after all, one of my best knights, but I haven't properly shown my respects till today.

Percival: It's alright, sire. We all know what Merlin meant to you. (smiles sadly) He meant a lot to Gwaine too.

Arthur: (nods) Gaius told me Gwaine scorted Merlin to the Crystal Cave. He was there for him when I wasn't and for that I'm grateful. He didn't deserve his fate. What Morgana did, using Eira to get information from him and then torture him, it has no name.

Percival: I don't think he ever cared about Eira.

Arthur: He went after Morgana after her execution, did he not?

Percival: Yes, but no because of her. He was torned because he was fool enough to tell her he was taking Merlin to the valley of the fallen kings. As far as he knew he had almost doomed Merlin with his carelesness. And then Morgana finished to get all the information from him when he tortured him with the nathair, so he died thinking he failed him.

Arthur: (smiles sadly) I guess I can relate to that feeling.

Percival: (gives a small nostalgic laugh) I don't think he ever got over his crush on Merlin in that sense.

Arthur: WHAT?! 😨

Percival: (surprised) Oh, you didn't know?

Arthur: That's... that's impossible! He was a womanizer. I mean, I've only ever seen him with women.

Percival: Yes, but he was into men too. He was never discret about it, but men who like men do not abound pricesly. And it's true he had a preference for women, but... Merlin was always especial, you know?

Arthur: ...

Percival: Are you alright, my lord?

Arthur: Were they... were they ever...

Percival: No, I don't think so. He always came to me like a kicked out puppy everytime Merlin rejected his advances. Though I'm not sure Merlin ever realized Gwaine's flirting was serious. Either way he clearly had no insterest in Gwaine, so eventually he gave up.

Arthur: ...

Percival: My lord?

Arthur: (forces a smile) I have to go. It was nice talking to you. (leaves)

Percival: ...

End of Arthur's flashback.

Finding out Gwaine's feelings for Merlin was a breaking point for Arthur. His memories with Gwaine and Merlin interacting were more clear. Where he once saw friendly behaviour, he detected the flirting . And those memories started hunting him as much as Merlin's last words to him. They made him grumpy, upset and later he discovered why.

Arthur was jealous. Jealous of a dead man. Because he got to flirt with Merlin, he got to show his interest in him even though he was rejected. And it was him Merlin went to when he was vulnerable, without his magic, it was him he asked to protect him when he went to the Crytal Cave and not Arthur.

And, inevitably, the more aware he became of his feelings for Merlin, the more his hatred for Gwaine's memory grew.

Now Gwaine has shown interest in Merlin again, maybe even stronger than before, and , of course, Merlin as the clueless clotepole he was can't see it cause, apparently, he is unable to notice when someone has any romantic interest on him.

But now Merlin was his. He worked very hard to get him back and he is not going to let Gwaine take merlin from him.

...

It may seem funny, but Arthur's jealousy here is actually pretty toxic and I'm not going to sugarcoat it.

Credits to my best friend Rosangela, who help with the dialogues.

Arthur's reaction to Gwaine brazenly flirting with Merlin ✅️

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[mythical-bookworm]

The Four Stages of Being a Time Traveler

Marty is regretting everything

[scipunk]

Back to the Future (1985)

[famousmyth]

more bill & ted + back to the future sketches ! :p and some old-ish b&t doodles i was also gonna draw doc brown and rufus together but i got lazy

[shameandregretsnotfound]

Just more of S16Dean having the time of his life and S6Castiel unsure what to think of this different version of Dean Winchester.