WHO: Merlin and Nora WHAT: Merlin wakes up from the Coma Crisis and finds Nora. WHEN: Backdated to when everyone was waking up from comas! WHERE: The clinic. WARNINGS: None. STATUS: Closed | Completed gdoc.
Merlin grinned one last time and then…
… he woke, groaning, eyes going wide, and focusing on the world around him. He was laying on his back. Why was he laying on his back? And where was he? The room seemed to roil a little uneasily and he shook his head, a groan coming from his mouth.
“Where am I?”
***
Nora had been staying with Merlin more often than not, she was worried about him. Yes, she was worried about Thor, too, but she was more confident in the people he knew in Madison Valley than she was in Merlin’s people. SHe didn’t know many of Merlin’s people. So it wasn’t that big of a surprise that Nora was in his room when he woke.
She had been dozing when she heard him speak, and his voice made her jump a bit. Her eyes opened immediately, and she was at the side of his bed almost instantly.
“Merlin! You’re awake.” She reached toward him, brushing a strand of hair away from his face. “You’re in the clinic. You were in a coma.”
***
Panic faded to confusion, which faded to hope. Seeing Nora made him relax, and he smiled softly at her, reaching a hand to her hand and bringing it to his lips, to kiss.
“Milady. You are a sight for sore eyes.”
And then, because in some ways, he would never not be Merlin, he tugged lightly on her hand, to try to pull her down to kiss her more fully.
And after, “I’m back in normal Madison, yes? Are the others waking?”
***
Nora smiled brightly at Merlin, quite happy that he had woken. “You have no idea how happy I am to see you awake, Merlin.” And she allowed him to tug her down toward him, and return his kiss happily.
“I think it’s normal Madison Valley again, but I am not so sure. You’re the first person I’ve seen wake up, but I’m sure the others are as well. If they haven’t yet, then they will soon.”
She kissed him once more, and sat on the side of his bed, beside him.
“I was so worried…. I was worried Madison Valley was stealing everyone I cared about.”
***
“I am glad that I was able to awaken then. You deserve joy, my friend, and many friends.” He gladly took one of her hand and kept it, holding it gently. His strength was rapidly returning. “I feel fine now, as if I was asleep only, and only for a night.”
He chuckled. “I think soon I will want to return home, and remind myself that I am alive.” His eyes danced as he looked up at her.
***
Nora lifted Merlin’s hand to her lips, and pressed a soft kiss against it. “Just don’t do that to me again, okay? Now scooch over,” she demanded. She stretched out on the not very wide bed beside Merlin, her arm draping over him. She made herself comfortable on the bed beside him, and pressed a kiss against his cheek.
“Would you like assistance, remembering you’re alive?”
***
Merlin grinned at her, his arms sliding around her, pulling her close, and he kissed her lightly. Then he nodded, without hesitation.
“I would. What did you have in mind, dear lady?” He had an idea, of course, who wouldn’t? But he wasn’t sure she really meant that.
Did she?
***
She willingly returned Merlin’s kiss, and smiled at him. “You’re the one in need of remembering, my dear. I am at your disposal, however that may be.” She smiled once more, and kissed along his jawline for a brief moment.
Nora rested her head on his shoulder, cuddling against him. She wasn’t sure she’d ever cuddled him before, and definitely not while fully dressed.
***
Merlin sighed softly, and held her close, snuggling in, breathing in her scent and her - - -, well, herness. “You are amazing, milady.” he kissed her hair and cuddled her, feeling suddenly shy.
And yet, despite himself, her warmth and weight against him was definitely causing a reaction. Shaking his head, he smiled and pushed the thought aside… for now
“This may sound odd, but… can we just lay like this for awhile? Maybe more later, but… this is nice.” His other self had not believed in interpersonal contact. It had been… grim.
“And maybe just talk to me?”
***
Nora nodded at Merlin’s request. She left her arm draped over him, and snuggled against him. She kissed him softly, and rested her head on his shoulder. “Of course. We can do anything you’d like, Merlin.” While sex was very nice with Merlin, she would willingly cuddle him if he so desired. And talk to him.
“I missed you,” she said softly.
***
His hands stroked her shoulders and back and he hugged her close to him. ‘I missed you, too.” He stroked a hand up to gently brush her hair back and kissed her hair lightly. “You are an amazing woman. I regret not being able to talk to you or see you in that other world.”
He kissed her hair again, then snuggled her close. One hand found her rear and just landed there, and he grinned. Snuggling he might want, but he was still him, and she had a very lovely. ass. He grinned and just closed his eyes for a moment.
“How has your shop been?”
***
She smiled slightly when she felt his hand on her ass. Still the Merlin she remembered, even if he just wanted to talk at the moment. And snuggle. She cuddled against him, smiling slightly. After pressing a kiss to his jaw, she considered his question.
“The shop has been doing well. Charles Xavier, one of the co-owners of the shop, was sent home. So now it’s just me and Weiss at the moment. But we’re making do, we have a few good employees who seem to know what they’re doing.”
Nora rested her head on his shoulder, her hand trailing lightly over his stomach. “You’re rather amazing yourself.”
***
Merlin hugged her close and nodded, listening. “Good. If I can help at all, you know I will, right?” He kissed her forehead, and her temple, and snuggled her, stroking her hair lightly.
“Thank you. I just want to help people, and make this place as good a home as I can.” And along the way, sex and fun were nice, too.
“Thank you for being here.” He drew in a long breath and just held her.
***
She nodded in response to Merlin’s offer of help, “Yes, and I appreciate that.” She smiled at the man, and snuggled him. “I am glad to have met you, Merlin.” And not just because the sex was nice, either. She liked spending time with him.
Nora tugged a strand of his hair lightly, and smiled at him. “Of course. Anything for you.”
***
“And I am glad I met you, too.” He smiled at her, and kissed her lips lightly, snuggling her again. “Such words, milady, inspire a man to dream.”
He would think on those, after rest. Think on them again.
“For now, we can rest, maybe, us together?” His arms fully curved around her.
***
Nora willingly returned Merlin’s kiss, and snuggled up against the man. She ran her fingers through his hair, content to cuddle against him.
“Yes, of course,” she murmured. “I like snuggling. Especially with those I consider to be good friends.” She smiled at the man, and kissed him once more.
“I’m just glad you’re okay.”
***
“Good. I like it with you, too.” He kissed her lips, and nose, and lips again, then let himself just snuggle close.
Merlin stroked her back and her side, content, for the moment, to hold her close. “Thank you. I am too.”
He hoped that life would bring only joy from here on in.