Ford’s face brightened as he saw the boy and he gave a laugh. “Merlin, my boy!” He beamed, something genuine shining in his eyes as he clapped the other’s extra hand, pulling him into a brief hug. “My god, I could swear you’ve grown since I’ve last seen you.” He laughed as they broke apart, tone easy and enthusiastic, finding a sort of natural space to fall back there between them as if their constant, rampant D&D nights and talks and theories about the world had never been interrupted at all.
He had always enjoyed staying up late at his office, him, Merlin and even Bill on the occasion, talking about ideas or concepts that were so far out of reach from the biology classes Merlin took that he’d been amazed the boy could keep up at all. All the while him grading papers or asking questions, sharing stories and ideas. His office had a nice space for that. An old but comfortable sofa and equally cushioned chair rather than anything close to being sterile, bookshelves stacking endless tomes and artifacts and objects of the strange and weird and impossible, a real treasure chest with an array of authentic scrolls tucked in the corner, some strange creatures packed and dried, floating in glass jars against shelves, a massive throw rug that looked to be from ancient Egypt, and an assortment of odds and ends that screamed “crazy archaeological finds.” Not to mention the array of triangles, pyramids, and Illuminati eyes that seemed portrayed here and there. All of it keeping the space an organized mess of fantastic, sort of impossible kleptomania clutter, but a fascinating one, one with character, and painted in adventure and intrigue if nothing else. And also, certainly, excellent for a late night in to talk and wonder about the world.
Overall it was a relationship that seemed far too easy to slip back into, even with the years that had passed, and he gestured over to the table he’d seen the other set up at.
He slipped into the chair across the table, folding his hands and looking the other over. He really did feel different somehow. More rough around the edges, certainly, but also...more confident. A little older, somehow. “It’s been...my, it’s really been some time, hasn’t it?” He mused, raking a hand at his chin in thought. “But I’ve been great. Me and Bill moved here recently, and, well, it’s been very nice settling in. Hell, I suppose a lot must have changed for you as well. I can’t imagine. A doctor, that is a full time job, Merlin, really it is.” He grinned, not doubting the other in it for a moment, “How’s it been going for you so far?” They’d spoken in letters, but it had always felt like a polite, almost diplomatic thing. Ford certainly preferred the relationship in person, seeing the other eye to eye like this.