Chapter Text
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Chapter 1: Changes
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Interlude
~ Changes~
The first day of school is always awkward especially when you're the new kid in town.
A few weeks earlier:
Merlin moved to Camelot, Wales over the summer between his junior and senior year of high school to live with his Aunt Isolde, Uncle Tristan and cousin Gwen.
Tristan Emrys discovered Merlin had been living on the streets of San Antonio, Texas after being kicked out of the house by his parents. Seems they weren't keen on having a gay son. At least his sister, Merlin’s mother, Hunith, had the decency to call Tristan and let him know about the situation.
Merlin’s father had moved the family back to his native San Antonio from London when Merlin was just a baby. Fortunately, Tristan and Isolde spent many summers with the family in Texas and grew very close to Merlin which was fortunate given what was to come.
Merlin barely subsisted on the few bucks he made each day strumming his guitar for tourists in front of the Alamo. He did manage to get to continuation school each day anxious to finish his junior year. He didn't actually have to sleep on the streets bunking at a local halfway house for teen runaways after the first week.
Uncle Tristan called the house to wish Merlin happy birthday when he got the news that Merlin "…is no longer our son." He hopped on the next flight to San Antonio and searched the streets for a week before spotting Merlin leaning against a low sandstone wall his guitar strapped to his back.
To Tristan's trained law enforcement eye, the boy was thin and scruffy, not the bright-eyed happy kid he remembered. Tristan almost didn't recognize him.
"Son, Merlin" Tristan called out to him.
Merlin looked up sharply recognizing the familiar voice. His eyes grew wide at the sight of his uncle then overcome by emotion he hung his head untamed raven locks falling forward hiding his face in shame. Tired tears tracked lines down his face.
"None of that boy." Tristan said firmly enveloping the sobbing teen in his strong arms.
"Let's get you cleaned up and fed." Tristan kept a firm grip on Merlin guiding his quivering shoulders towards the waiting car.
"Where's your stuff?" Tristan asked gruffly. Merlin held up a tattered overstuffed backpack.
"Fuck my sister and that asshole she's married to!" He muttered under his breath angrily but Merlin heard.
"I'm bad, Uncle…"
"There's nothing wrong with you, son. Come on, I'm taking you home with me."