18. Change the Story

10.04.203 UI

Morgan screamed internally—and a little out loud through gritted teeth. His heart went to his throat as he grabbed the nearest door handle, begging the Manor for help, “My study!” The door opened to the requested location, and he slammed it shut, steadying his back against it before answering.

“Fell here.”

Why? Why are you trying to sound cool and detached? This is Aaron!

“Uh, hey. Hey, Morgan. It’s Aaron.” The voice crashed over him like a soothing rain. “I know you’re probably crazy busy right now, but... do you have a minute?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I could use a break. I’m all yours.”

Not the way you wanted to tell him that, but sure.

“Look, I’m really sorry I didn’t call sooner. I just-”

“You needed time. I understand.” Morgan paused for a moment, neither of them speaking as he walked to the chair behind his desk. “How are you?”

“Honestly?” Aaron sighed. “I’m great physically, but... I’m kind of going stir crazy, I think. Suspension and all that. And then I heard about Abernathy and the Council-”

“Dammit. I wanted to tell you myself, but I got so caught up between the Council and the Ball. I didn’t want to say anything until I had something other than ‘Hey, the whack job that tried to kill you twice is still a psychotic piece of shit!’”

Aaron laughed, and it was music to his ears. “No, no, I get it. I’m not upset.”

Morgan heaved a breath in relief. “Okay.”

The line was quiet as they struggled over what to say. Then they both spoke at once.

“Aaron, I-”

“Morgan-”

They chuckled nervously before Aaron said, “You first.”

“Yeah, okay.” Morgan inhaled, readying himself. “Aaron, I... I hate that I reacted so terribly. I hate that I left you standing there the way I did after you were nothing but wonderful to me. I can’t stop thinking about it. I should have just talked to you. I got so scared when you called me on my bullshit and-” Guilt gripped him tight. He shook his head in frustration as he remembered the rage inside him that night. It was so stupid. So needless. He could have prevented all of this if he had only stayed in control of his emotions. “I ran. And when you got hurt, all I could think was that I might never get to tell you that... I do care. Of course I care about you, Aaron. And that doesn’t even do what I feel for you justice. I’m so sorry I tried to make you think that you didn’t mean something to me.”

Aaron took a sharp breath. “I know. I know that now, Morgan. You saved my life. I mean... fuck, you ripped apart the hospital to reach me in time.”

They let out a choked-up giggle together.

“Yeah... I was, uh... a little unhinged.”

“A little? You tossed the security guards, destroyed one of the elevators, and scared the piss out of the entire reception area!” Aaron laughed. “But thank you... for saying it. You have no idea how glad it makes me to hear you say it. I really was sad that you weren’t there when I woke up. All I wanted was to see your face.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have cast that message and then left you. I just had to-”

“I know,” Aaron interrupted gently, “Lexi told me you were a mess and that you stayed as long as you could...” He took a deep breath. “Morgan... I screwed up too, okay? I was so blinded by this—like you said, this ridiculous hero complex of mine. You were right. I ignored so many signs, so many little things that should have clued me in to everything the ECPD is doing behind our backs. I’m going to do everything I can to make this right. With you, and with the rest of the witches here. I want the ECPD and Esotech to pay for what they’ve done to your people.”

Morgan beamed with a delighted laugh. “That means the world to me. And I’m with you. Every step of the way... but right now, I just want you to take care of yourself, alright? No more charging in demanding answers, no more running headlong into danger. I’ve been working on this for years so, if you let me… we can do this together.”

“Yeah...” Aaron sighed. “Yeah, I can do that. I still don’t know where to go from here. I don’t know if I should stay, and try to work against them from the inside, or if I should-”

“You don’t need to make that decision yet.”

“Yeah. You’re right. I don’t think I can stomach going back and looking those bastards in the eye yet, though,” Aaron growled.

Morgan scoffed, “I don’t blame you. Bryce was a real piece of work.”

Aaron’s mood shifted and he broke into a wicked laugh. “Oh gods, I nearly wet myself laughing when Lexi told me how you scared him shitless!”

“Well,” Morgan huffed, “You and I are none of his business. I’d already fought zombies, drakes, and time itself for you. I wasn’t about to let that dick smear make trouble for you.”

Aaron chuckled nervously. “I guess... Lexi may have accidentally called you… my boyfriend?” Morgan swore he heard the blood rush to the man’s cheeks. “She says she was just trying to piss Bryce off but... I hope she didn’t upset you.”

“Upset me?” he said, taken aback, “It caught me off guard. I wasn’t even sure you’d want to speak to me again, but it... made me happy. As long as it didn’t upset you I m-”

“No!” Aaron almost shouted, “No. It scared me, but only because it had me worried what you would think. Hearing that it made you happy, though... makes me happy too.”

“Yeah?” Morgan croaked with a smile.

“Yeah.”

“It’s not... too soon for that, is it?” he stammered, “I mean, way back when, if someone decided to court you and there were no politics standing in the way, it was pretty much a done deal.”

Aaron chuckled. “Well, I don’t know about Arthurian courtship rituals, but you did bind yourself to me on the first date.”

Morgan snorted. “Okay, one, that was not a date-”

“Mmm... I definitely felt some sparks when I knocked you to the ground.”

“Those were not sparks. Those were my testicles being crushed by your knee.”

“Same thing.”

“And two,” Morgan continued, trying to sound serious and failing miserably, “I didn’t even know how much of a thing I had for you at the time, and I was under a lot of pressure to save a handsome police officer from a horde of the undead. So, you hush.”

“It counts. Just like the drakes. And the hospital.”

“You weren’t even conscious! That is not how one begins a relationship, Aaron!”

“Eh,” he laughed, “You will always have my consent to save my life.”

Morgan giggled stupidly. “Okay. So, does that mean we’re... you know, doing this? You and me, we’re-”

“Yes.” The smile in Aaron’s voice was audible. “I’ve given this a lot of thought, Morgan. Like I said, I don’t know what comes next for me, but I do know I want you there for it. So, yes. If you want that too-”

“I do. More than anything.”

“Then we’re doing this... boyfriend,” he said the last word softly, and this time Morgan’s breath caught in his chest at the title. The line went quiet again as they each savored the knowledge that the other was there, basking in the moment together from across the city.

Morgan rested his head against the tall back of his chair. “I wish you were here.”

“Me too. I really, really want to see you,” Aaron groaned, “It’s already getting late, though, and I know you have the ball tomorrow-”

“You’re not coming?” Morgan lifted his head, his brow furrowed sadly.

“I can’t.” Aaron sighed. “I want to... so much. I’d love nothing more than to ask the most beautiful guy there for a dance. And everyone would stare—jealous because he’s all mine. But... I have something important I’ve been working on for tomorrow. I can’t miss it.”

Warmth swelled inside him, from his heart down to his fingers and toes at the possessive image Aaron painted. He reined in his disappointment, nodding to himself. Aaron wanted to see him again. His boyfriend wanted to see him again. Morgan was his. That was more than enough. “It’s okay. If you get done in time... maybe come by after? You don’t even need to dress up. I’m the host. I say so.”

Aaron laughed. “I’m there. The second this is over, I’m there.”

“Okay.” Morgan wrapped himself up in his chair, holding the phone close.

“I’ll let you get back to your party business now, but I’ll see you soon. I promise. And thank you again for everything you did for me,” Aaron spoke so sweetly next that it made Morgan melt inside, “Keep changing that story, beautiful... for both of us now.”

“I’ll change it. I swear I will, Aaron.”

“I know you will. Sleep tight, Morgan.”

Morgan knocked out the rest of his preparations with a heart that soared into the heavens. The ballroom was immaculate, sprawling with round tables that had been draped with ivory and lavender cloth. Frey had rolled back the decor to a classy dash of rose garlands and lily bouquets. Daphne had the sound system going with a music selection that rose and fell in all the right places, filling the entirety of the space, but enchanted to withdraw from the ears when holding a conversation.

Anxiety reared its ugly head, and Morgan went to check the stability of his spatial corridors. Abernathy wouldn’t be stupid enough to approach the majority of the occult community all at once, but it was rather like being uncertain if the stove was left on. It has to be checked for the sake of one’s sanity.

When he was satisfied, Morgan decided that he deserved a celebratory drink in his favorite spot. He sat on the parapet, legs dangling over the streets below, a glass of scotch whiskey in one hand, resting on his lap, and his friend, the raven, on the other arm.

“I don’t remember the last time I felt this way,” he said to the bird, “I’m not sure I ever have. I feel... free. Whole, even.” He laughed. “You can say it. I’ve gone completely soft over a guy. Pathetic, huh?”

The bird cocked its head at him, then looked out toward the city, before turning back to preen its feathers. Morgan set his glass down to withdraw a small handful of nuts from his pocket, smiling as the bird snatched them up greedily. The access door then creaked open behind him, and the raven took flight, vanishing against the night sky.

“Hey, is everything okay?” Daphne called across the roof, Shane at her side, “Frey said they felt... I dunno, something off with you.”

Morgan turned his head at their approach, puffing a laugh from his nose. His eyes were alight against the darkness, full of lovestruck bliss.

Daphne gave him a look of panic. “What... what is that?”

“What? Where?” Morgan whipped his head back out to the city.

“No!” Daphne giggled, slapping him lightly on the shoulder. “What is that look on your face? Are you... are you happy?”

“Nah!” Shane took a seat beside him, facing the access door as he took a swig from the decanter. “He’s just buzzed! Our Morgan doesn’t do happy.”

Morgan rolled his eyes. “Properly fuck the both of you.” He gave Shane a playful shove, releasing a contented breath. “I think I just might be. Happy, I mean. What?” he added at their stares.

“Talk!” Daphne demanded, and then her eyes bulged, “Did he call? He called, didn’t he? Didn’t he?”

Morgan shined so brightly that his eyes nearly mirrored Aaron’s smile. “He called.”

“YES!” She threw her fist in the air with a little jump. “Oh, this is so luxe! I can’t wait to party with everyone tomorrow night! It’s going to be incredible!”

Morgan took a swig of his drink, shaking his head with a sad smile. “He’s not coming.”

“What? Why not?” Shane whined.

He shrugged. “He said he has something important to take care of. I didn’t push. The way he said it... it felt like I should keep my nose out of it.”

He looked up to see Daphne swiping at her comm distractedly. “Sorry, sorry. Trying to make sure the playlist is just right.”

He frowned at her. “I thought you finished that a week ago.”

“Yeah, and I’m a little obsessive. You know this.” She took a seat at his other side, resting her head against his shoulder. “I’m sorry, sweetie. I know how much you wanted him there.”

“It’s okay. More than okay, actually.” Morgan looked up to the stars. “We talked. I said everything I should’ve said from the beginning and... well...”

Daphne lifted her head, eyebrows so high he worried they might merge with her hairline. “You are literally killing me right now! I am in actual pain waiting for you to speak.”

He chuckled airily. “We decided to do this. Me and him,” he smiled with his eyes as he spoke the words, making them so very real, “Aaron Jones—is my boyfriend.”

Daphne jumped back with a delighted gasp, her eyes swelling with happy tears. “Oh... my... gods!” she squealed, throwing her arms around his waist and swaying rapidly.

Shane gave him a clap on the shoulder. “Atta boy!”

“Don’t do that.” Morgan chuckled, taking another sip of his drink to numb the feeling of Daphne squeezing the life out of him.

Shane threw his hand up in surrender with a laugh. “Right.”

They talked for what seemed like hours. Morgan shared details of his date with Aaron that he’d kept to himself, and Daphne offered suggestions on where to take him for their next one. She seemed a little preoccupied, tapping at her comm occasionally, then returning to the conversation full of excitement. Shane was slipping in tips for “after their date” while both Morgan and Daphne begged him to stop.

“What?” Shane gave them a hurt look. “I’m telling you, if you make eye contact while you’re-”

“Shane!” Morgan yelled with a pained laugh, “I appreciate your enthusiasm for the future of my sex life-”

“And Aaron’s.” Daphne nudged his shoulder with a wink.

“-but I have done this before, you know?”

“Fine!” Shane groaned, “I’ll send you some links.”

“Please don’t.” He grimaced, taking another sip of his drink.

Daphne buried her face in Morgan’s shoulder, growling exasperatedly. She leaned over, snatching the decanter away from Shane and taking a swig. “Hey, that charity thing Theresa brought up?” she said, setting the bottle on the ledge.

Morgan raised a brow, but he was grateful for the topic shift. “Yeah?”

“I had something in mind, if it’s alright with you.”

“Sure. What is it?”

She cocked her head to the side with a devious glint. “Do you trust me?”

He rolled his eyes. “Duh.”

She hopped to her feet. “Then let me handle it.”

Morgan took another sip of his drink before calling after her, “Don’t spend all of our money, please!”

“I’m not buying the whole city! Promise!” she yelled back, swaggering away.

Morgan gave Shane a shrug as he seriously considered the thought. “S’not the worst idea.”

Morgan crawled into bed, willingly for a change, deciding that some sleep would help him look his best tomorrow. He warded himself against the nightmares to be safe. Glimmer snuggled close with a loving purr. As he drifted, he let himself imagine what the ball might be like with Aaron there, laughing, drinking and dancing the night away. He hoped that if he dwelled on it long enough before sleep took him that it might continue in his dreams.

He donned his Frey original, earning glances of wonder and admiration from his guests. Aaron sported a clean-cut suit with a black mask, looking like a superhero. They laughed and flirted in one of the secluded seating areas of the ballroom, surrounded by their friends. A romantic song began to play, and Aaron rose to his feet, offering his hand.

The thoughts continued in a whirl of revelry and jubilation. There were flashes of people dancing and glimpses of Frey’s handiwork. It was a night of celebration, libations, and wonderful company, culminating in a passionate kiss beneath the stars.

Then the voices stilled. The music faded. And the world went black.

Morgan stood alone among an endless expanse. He whirled about, seeking out anything but his own hands in front of him, listening for any sounds other than his heartbeat in his ears and the echoes of his breath.

“Hello?” he called into the void. Thoughts of his death-like sleep began creeping into his mind. He walked ahead, his pulse hammering beneath his ribs. Panic started to take him, and he broke into a run. “Hello? Anyone?” He tripped, falling to his knees. His eyes closed and opened over and again as he beseeched every god that ever was or would be that he might wake up—praying that his wards had simply failed, and this was nothing but a bad dream. “Please.”

Footsteps echoed in the distance. He snapped his head upwards. “Is someone there?” No response came, but the footsteps drew closer. “Show yourself!”

The footsteps stopped. “You ought know better than to trust your eyes by now, my boy.”

His heart shot into his throat at the grizzled tone. His head swam at the notion—the sheer impossibility of ever hearing that voice again.

“Nothing to say? That’s awfully unlike you, but then… you haven’t been yourself for some time now, have you?” The man chuckled.

“You…” Morgan sputtered, “You can’t be… I looked everywhere. I searched every corner of what’s left of the globe! You’re dead!”

“And why should death keep me from imparting wisdom?” The man took another step forward, and the shadows cloaking him receded. The tallest man Morgan had ever met stood before him, robed and hooded, revealing only a silver beard, weathered skin and darkened eyes. “Did you think my demise would release you from my tutelage? You may have an apprentice of your own, but I will ever be your master, young witch.”

“WHY?” Morgan screamed, standing to his feet and shaking with fury, “Why now? I have needed you for years! I was lost and alone in this wretched land! Where were you then?”

Merlin tutted beneath his garb. “You have never been alone, Morgan le Fay. As I told you, your eyes cannot be trusted while you remain incomplete. You haven’t been alone from the moment you stepped foot in this city.”

“What? Who-”

“Ah- ah- ah-” his master chided, “You know the rules of speaking with the dead. I anticipated your first question but take care what you ask next. I needn’t provide answers that will soon become clear.”

Shit.The laws of forbidden knowledge. Three queries to those that had gone before. And his outrage had already cost him one.

“Two questions…” Morgan breathed, “After all this time, I have a million…”

Merlin chuckled. “There are those among them that would yield many revelations, I believe.”

Morgan racked his brain, pushing aside his shock at finding himself face to face with the man he’d given up hope of ever seeing again. Two questions to answer a million. Two threads to pull apart an entire weave of uncertainty. He dwelled on the flashes of his memory, trying to piece them together as he had so many times already.

“How did I fall asl-”

“No,” his master interrupted.

Morgan growled in his throat. “Who took my mem-”

“No.”

He pinched his lips together. “You are as tiresome as ever, old man.”

“That was not a question.”

“No, it was not,” Morgan scoffed.

Merlin chortled, offering him a soft smile. Morgan looked away, avoiding the man’s gaze. If he stared too long, lingering on the closest thing he’d ever known to the guiding light of a parent, he might do something stupid like run in and attempt to hug the man he had never once dared to seek physical contact with. He stared into the abyss that surrounded them, darker than the night sky.

“My eyes…” he whispered, “When I reconnected with my grimoire, it did something to my eyes. I heard a voice… a beautiful voice, and then…”

“Ask,” Merlin instructed.

“What is this darkness?”

Merlin nodded in approval. “Your foe—and mine. It has many names and many forms, a magic beyond reason. Even I could not approach so long as it held you as tightly as it did. It will try to tempt you, lure you back into the shelter you have fashioned for yourself—this name you present—the selfish, uncaring Morgan Fell. So long as it has something to offer you, you remain vulnerable, malleable in its grasp. For every step you have taken toward your truth, it has fought like a wounded animal within, pulling you away.”

The pieces shifted in Morgan’s mind. His memories slipping through the cracks, slowly returning what had been taken from him, pulling him out of this void and into the light, always when thinking of…

“Aaron,” he breathed, “Why is Aaron the key to my-”

“No.”

“Son of a bitch,” Morgan hissed.

Merlin laughed heartily, making the fondness Morgan held for him ache. Merlin had always been kind, stern, but unfailingly kind in a place where he never felt at home.

That’s not true. His heart nagged at him. That’s how the story goes, but that wasn’t always how you felt. Some days were terrible, but others—you remembered it. It was home. He suddenly lamented the world he had left behind more deeply than ever.

“Why now?” he asked, “Why Etna? Seventeen-hundred years, Merlin. I know you’re the one that sealed that tomb. I know your magic protected me all those centuries, and you never do anything without a reason. So, what makes this time, this place important enough to let me out?”

“Ah…” Merlin smiled. “There it is. Though, I fear my explanation will not be as fruitful as you might hope. For all my accolades, I have always failed to glean what part you play in this world, my boy. You have ever remained a spinning coin on the edge of that great, round table, and I have never seen on which side it lands. Redemption—or ruin.”

“Ruin? I… I would never-”

“You contend with forces far beyond your ken, even for an Ancient of your caliber. This world that you have awakened to is where you will be needed most, of that I am certain. Though, in the past, your heart has led you to make decisions that continue to echo throughout time, even now. You have forgotten that heart, and when it is remembered, the pain you must endure will be unlike anything that any man before you has suffered, waiting and growing much like our magic does with time.”

Sweat beaded on his skin at the warning.

“How you will bear that pain, I cannot say. No man could prepare themselves for what is to come, and yet…” Merlin grinned. “I harbor as much fear for you… as I do hope.”

The darkness surrounding him closed in, and his feeble semblance of consciousness within his own mind began to slip.

“No!” he cried out, “No, I need to know more, master! Please!”

His vision became clouded, and he fell to his knees as Merlin drew near. “I have answered your questions three, my apprentice. The rest shall become clear when you wake.”

“When I wake?” he gasped, falling deeper into the abyss.

“When you truly wake.”

A raven cawed from afar, whether in his sleep or the waking world he didn’t know. Morgan jolted upright in his bed, panting and coated in sweat again, his heart threatening to burst from his chest.

Morgan tossed and turned for several hours, but sleep eluded him. He had been right to believe the old man was gone, but foolish to think he was lost. Of course death wouldn’t stop the great Myrddin Wyllt Emrys if he had something to say. His master enjoyed the sound of his own voice far too much for something so mundane as the grave to silence him. This darkness on the other hand—it had silenced him, at least until Morgan had begun to break its hold.

Keep your promise to Aaron. Change the story and take back everything that was lost to you. You can face the pain Merlin spoke of. You’re Morgan fucking le Fay. Whatever that magic has to offer, you don’t need it.

Glimmer hopped from the bed and gave his calf a quick rub before vanishing into the shadow of the cabinet. The sun was rising through his window, and he smelled coffee brewing. He snatched up his phone from the sideboard and paced to the kitchen, bare-chested and wearing only black, silk pajama bottoms. He patted the marble counter, pouring a cup from the pot. “Such a good house.” The floorboards rumbled beneath him in reply. As he dropped onto the sofa, he noticed an unread message on his phone.

gt;gt;gt; Officer Sexy AF: “Good morning, my beautiful boy.”

His stomach fluttered. Only weeks ago, he may have scoffed at such a sickeningly sweet message. Coming from his boyfriend, though, he was helpless to do anything but reply instantly.

Or so he thought.

“Hey!” he typed, as his entire vocabulary went whizzing out of his head.

Do you return the term of endearment? Do you play it casually? How do people do this?

After several minutes of tormenting himself and a series of deleted attempts—some he would never admit to a soul—he decided honesty was the best policy with the man he had just agreed to a relationship with.

lt;lt;lt; Morgan Fell: “So, I saw your message, got happy tingly feelings, and started to respond when I realized I have no idea how to flirt via text. You almost got a boring ‘Hey!’ but there was a slight chance you might’ve received a ballad or sonnet of some sort. Please send help.”

He hit send.

He sipped his coffee, and his fatigue began to ebb, the potions and caffeine combining in a wonderful way as he tried and failed to stop glancing at his phone. When he finally decided to walk away and focus on something else, it vibrated, causing him to jump.

gt;gt;gt; Officer Sexy AF: “Oh, my poor, sweet, living anachronism! You could send me a smiley face for all I care, so long as I hear from you. Don’t send a smiley face, though. Sonnets over smiley faces.”

Morgan laughed out loud at being called a ‘living anachronism’, apt description that it was.

lt;lt;lt; Morgan Fell: “Send all the sonnets, got it. I will say, I could get used to waking up to that.”

A few moments later his phone buzzed again.

gt;gt;gt; Officer Sexy AF: “Oh, you’re going to regret that, Morgan Fell. Haha. Hey, I’ve gotta go, something’s up. Have a great time tonight! Send me pictures so I can show people that I’m dating the hottest guy in the city! And save me a dance in case I make it in time?”

He typed quickly.

lt;lt;lt; Morgan Fell: “We can’t both be dating the hottest guy in the city, can we? I’ll save you every dance! Are you okay?”

Aaron responded just as fast.

gt;gt;gt; Officer Sexy AF: “Yeah! No danger here. Promise! :)”

Morgan stood with a sigh to place his coffee cup in the sink. He leaned against the counter and inhaled slowly, centering himself. “Showtime.”