'Please don't,' Arthur whispered, 'don't die, please, I love you'.

The words meet deaf ears as Arthur arms encircle Merlin's chest, it's rising and falling in slow, steady movements.

There's blood, too much blood for one man. Arthur pushes his hands to Merlin's weeping wrists, praying that the sirens in the distance are from the ambulance he desperately needs. He runs a blood slicked hand through Merlin's dark hair and kisses his temple. He can't imagine life without his large eared friend. He can't imagine coming home to a lone flat that doesn't house Merlin. He already misses his voice, his laugh, the way his eyes crinkle when he laughs.

It's in those moments that Arthur repeats his whispering. He realises that his been blind to his feelings for the man in his arms.

'Merlin, please wake up- for me,' Arthur pleads as the tears prick his eyes, blurring his vision. 'I love y-you- you idiot! Wake up!'. His throat is already burning, closing up around the words he wants to shout. He wants Merlin to know that he's loved. He knows that he should have confessed months ago.

'If you don't wake up- I'll- I'll sell your paintings!' snaps Arthur, the tears freely running down his cheeks. His angry and confused. He quietly hopes that his half hearted threats will rouse Merlin from his comatose state, that he'll raise his bony fingers and flick Arthur on the head with a smirk and tell him to shut up. Arthur gently places Merlin's head in his lap, still pressing his hands into the ragged gashes.

It's in that moment that Arthur feels the tiniest pulse, it's weak, but he clamps down on the wrists with a tighter grip.

'I know you can hear me! Wake up! M-merlin-'

The pulse grew slower. Arthur shifts Merlin in his lap so he's cradling the man to his chest. Merlin's knuckles rap against the floor as his body is moved a fraction with every sob beneath him.

Arthur doesn't wipe at his eyes or his nose. He justs looks into the Merlin's pale face, he briefly wonders if Merlin is supposed to look waxy. He doesn't realise that Merlin's chest has stilled.

The sirens pierce the early morning sky like a deadly war cry. Arthur then begins screaming. He can hear the paramedics at the door, he shouts for them to kick it in. He hears the door splinter as it caves inwards and swinges against the wall. He hears the paramedics thunder up the stairs and opening doors. He quietly croaks that he's in the bathroom.

The door swings open to reveal a tall man in a green jumpsuit, his glasses flash as he pushes them up his nose.

Arthur's in a daze when he's gently pulled away from his best friend. He doesn't fight against the woman wrapping the blanket round him. Arthur just watches as Merlin is strapped to a gurney, his head lolling sideways in a gloved grip. Arthur can feel his heart breaking when his lungs begin to tighten, it's then that he rips the blanket from him with an animalistic cry. He fights against the strong arms that wind around his chest, only Merlin can touch him. No one else.

He hears faint whispers in his ears, an apology. He see's the woman shaking her head.

Arthur goes limp. His mind registers the word numb.

'No' Arthur murmurs, violently shaking his head. 'NO!' he screams, 'Merlin can't be dead!'

He hears the faint squeak of wheels as Merlin vanishes down the stairs. Arthur gives chase, pushing the paramedic from his way. He takes the steps three at a time. He stumbles, hits the doorframe with his shoulder and whimpers. His knees buckle and he's sliding to the 'welcome mat'.

Arthur ducks his head as the ambulance doors swing shut with a clunk.

Merlin's gone.