Chapter Text
Had someone told Dave that faithful incident at the Arcana Cabana would lead him to become the Prime Merlinian, defeat one of the most powerful sorcerers known to man, and marry his elementary school crush, well, he’s not quite sure how he would react. Yet, here he stood, tears glistening in his eyes as he watched the love of his life walk down the aisle with a smile he couldn’t help but match. It felt like forever ago when he was just the geeky physics nerd trying to balance his life with the duties bestowed on him as the Prime Merlinian. Of course, neither of those has changed for the most part. Throughout the years since his battle with Morgana, he alongside Balthazar and Veronica had been involved in plenty of magical affairs to stop the last of the Morganians; all while Dave tried to balance his career as an electrical engineer researcher and his love life with Becky.
Life as the Prime Merlinian was tricky, to say the least. Hell, he and Becky had already been legally married since 2014, unable to have an official wedding till now, two years later, due to their latest pursuit to find Horvath. They came up empty-handed, as if the man had simply disappeared from existence. Dave didn’t mind, he was more than ready to put that chapter of his life behind him and finally get back the normalcy he’s been craving.
Becky’s arm was looped around her father’s as she walked down the aisle, the crowd of close family members and friends rising. Everything was perfect, the way it was meant to be, and no one was going to take this night away from them…
“Oh honey! Look at my boy, all grown up!” Dave’s mother gushed, bringing him into a tight hug and smothering him in kisses. The after-party had just started, taking the wedding outside in the venue’s gorgeous garden. Becky couldn’t have picked a more beautiful venue, there was a large pergola sitting just outside the botanical hedge maze. Lights were strung above in the rafters creating a warm atmosphere that complemented the setting sun nestled in between the hills in the distance. From their location, they could see the vineyard stretch for miles around them. Dave couldn’t help but be reminded of their flight over France.
“Don’t smother him to death dear.” his Dad joked, giving him a pat on the back. “It’s good to see you again son, it’s been a while since you’ve come down to visit!” Dave forced a small laugh,
“Yeah… you know how it is,” Dave said, wanting to change the topic before he’d be forced to make a lame attempt at hiding what he’s truly been doing recently. Luckily, his Mom changed the topic for him,
“Oh Becky, you look stunning in your dress! It’s so nice to see you too, how has Dave been treating you? He better not be keeping himself holed up in his lab all the time.” Dave’s mother jokes, hugging Becky as well.
“I make sure Dave sees daylight,” Becky responded, chuckling, “Well, when I can. I swear he’d forget to eat if I wasn’t there to remind him.” she teases, both of the women laughing as Dave huffs, glancing down for a moment with a tight smile,
“Are we done bashing the groom?” he says lightly. Becky’s laughter dies down into a loving sigh, giving him a side hug and placing her chin on his shoulder,
“We’re just teasing Dave.” She says, giving him a quick peck on the cheek. Dave smiles, looking Becky in the eyes, wrapping his arm around her back, returning the peck.
“Yes, well we’ll have plenty of time to bask in the sun this summer as I recently completed my research on combining electrical and solar energy. It will take a few months to see if the board approves it or not but I have a strong feeling it’ll be a hit” Dave says, bringing Becky closer to him.
“That’s wonderful Dave, I’m sure they’ll approve it in no time!” Becky congratulates. Dave's parents glance at each other, Dave’s dad nodding,
“Speaking of this summer,” Dave’s Mom begins, “We hope this wouldn’t be too much of a bother on you two but, oh how do I say this,” Dave tilts his head, puzzled.
“What your mother is trying to ask is if it would be alright for Marty to stay in New York with you this summer.” Dave’s Dad finished. Dave was baffled, not thinking that’s where the conversation would be going. Becky turned to look at Dave, furrowing her brows in confusion. Dave wasn’t sure why until he realized,
“Marty, she’s uh, she’s my sister. Younger sister. I never really got the chance to introduce you to her properly as she, she has a knack for avoiding me.” Dave explained, rubbing the back of his neck, his demeanor becoming more fidgety. Becky remembered now, Dave had mentioned her briefly before. She met her a couple of Christmases ago when they went to Dave’s parents' house to celebrate, but when she mentioned she was Dave’s fiance, she became more reserved and disappeared into her room whenever she had the chance.
“You never mentioned you had siblings.” A new voice cuts into the conversation. Dave and Becky turn to see Balthazar approaching with Veronica close behind. His expression was hard to read but Dave could hear the displeasure in his voice.
“Yes, well it never seemed relevant to bring up.” Dave told Balthazar dismissively, “Why have her stay with me?” Dave turned back to his mother. His mother smiled tightly, giving a side glance towards Balthazar who barged into the conversation,
“Well, you know how she can get. She recently has been… struggling with classmates and hasn’t been putting her best foot forward when it comes to academics-”
“She’s barely passing her classes hun, let’s not sugar coat it.” Dave’s dad interrupts, “She’s not taking any of her schoolwork seriously, we had to pull her out of the STEM academy and she won’t drop the fairytales.” He scoffed, crossing his arms. Dave’s Mom gave him a harsh glare, trying to keep the conversation positive,
“We know you struggled with the whole ‘Arcana Cabana’ incident when you were younger,” she said, using her hands to emphasize the mess of that whole situation. Dave couldn’t help but glance at Balthazar, rubbing his clammy hands on his pants, “But you were able to overcome that!” She continued. overcoming it was one way to put it, “And look at you now, a lead researcher in electrical physics, you were able to push through and become the best son a mother could ever ask for.” She smiled, sighing, “I just want to give Marty the same opportunities but she’s struggling and I think being around you more might give her a push in the right direction.” She finished, the plea in her eye evident.
Dave wasn’t sure how to respond. He’s barely been able to talk to her due to their… complicated relationship and with how busy he’s been as the Prime Merlinian he’s barely been able to focus on his own life, let alone others.
“I don’t think that should be a problem, right Dave? We have the room plus you do have the time now. I’m sure she’d love to see New York again.” Becky said, locking Dave into agreeing whether he wanted to or not. Maybe things would be different? His parents moved to Michigan when he was 19, he had already been renting with Bennet at the time. Marty would’ve only been 8 at the time, he wonders how much she remembered being in New York.
“Yeah, yeah, that shouldn’t be a problem at all!” Dave blurted out perhaps a bit too forcefully. “Where is she anyways? It might be good to ask with her present-” He glanced around, jumping as he locked eyes with her coming this way. He could see the fire in her eyes, her breathing heavy,
“Oh Marty, we were just about to look for you! We wanted to see-” Marty interrupted before Dave’s Mom could finish,
“You can’t force me to stay with him! I don’t want to go, I have plans with my friends this summer. You can’t take that away from me.” She seethed, tears bubbling up in her eyes. Clearly, his parents hadn’t gone over this with Marty beforehand.
“That is no way to speak to your mother, young lady. You’re going and that’s final.” Dave’s Dad barked, making it clear retaliation wouldn’t be tolerated. Marty bit back whatever she was going to say. She gave one final glare before storming off towards the pergola, fiercely trying to wipe away the tears that fell.
The group fell into a tense silence, Dave’s dad still clearly ticked as his mother tried to hold his arm, pulling it out from being crossed with the other. Becky watched where Marty stormed off sympathetically alongside Balthazar whose eye's glinted in curiosity, Dave didn’t like that.
Dave’s mother broke the silence, “I apologize for her outburst, it’s been a rough week for her, for all of us. I’m sure she’ll warm up to the idea. Thanks again for agreeing, we already brought her stuff so we’ll come by your place soon to drop it off.” She said, “Come on hun, why don’t we go get Dave and Becky’s gift from the car?” She suggested, speaking to her husband now, guiding him away.
“I’m going to go check up on Marty.” Becky suggested but Dave grabbed her hand before she could go,
“It might be best to let her get some air, she doesn't typically like people seeing her cry.” Dave said. ‘Well, this was a great way to start repairing a relationship,’ he thought bitterly, rubbing the bridge of his nose. Becky sighed, wanting to comfort the young girl,
“Well, I guess I’ll go check up on the other guests but let me know when she appears again.” Becky said, walking off towards a group of gals who waved at her as she approached.
Dave stood there for a moment, forgetting Balthazar and Veronica were still there, “Care to explain? Have any other siblings I don’t know about?” Balthazar asked scoldingly. Dave sighed, not wanting to deal with this situation right now,
“What does it matter? You’ve never asked about it before?” Dave retorted.
“Well with you being the Prime Merlinian, that means she would also have Merlinian blood in her,” Balthazar responded, not addressing Dave’s agitation. Dave furrowed his brows, realizing what Balthazar was suggesting, “I could feel it, couldn’t you? There’s magic present in her.” Before he could continue, Dave interrupted,
“Nope, not happening, don’t even consider it!” He snapped, surprising both Balthazar and Veronica, “I’m not going to turn her life upside down just because you think she might have potential as a sorcerer. Plus she’s only my half-sibling, maybe you only think you’re sensing it because you know her as my sibling.” Dave insisted. Balthazar sighed, placing his hands on his side,
“You don’t know which side your sorcerer’s blood comes from-”
“And it doesn’t matter!” Dave interrupted, raising his arms, “Look, most of the Morganians have been handled just fine without another sorcerer. I know it might be hard to understand but all this Merlinian vs Morganian stuff and the hours dedicated to learning sorcery takes a large toll on people’s lives. If she doesn’t have to be involved, then it’s best to keep her from getting tangled in all this.” Dave explained, not wanting to fully admit how complicated it’s been for him to balance his Merlinian duties with his life.
Balthazar stood there for a moment, contemplating his next words, “Perhaps it would be wise to at least let her know, leave the decision to her.” he suggested. Dave scoffed,
“She’s 15 Balthazar! All she’ll hear is ‘you have magic’ and agree to fulfill every teen who’s ever read Harry Potter’s dream of being a wizard. She can’t comprehend how much that would impact the rest of her life and the consequences that would follow.” Balthazar clenched his jaw, crossing his arms. Before he could retort, Veronica placed her hand on his shoulder,
“Dave’s right, I know having another sorcerer to train would be wonderful but as he said, she’s not ready yet to make that decision. Plus, you know how difficult teens can be.” She chuckled, “Don’t you remember back then when Merlin couldn’t handle our teen angst and sent us to train with Yen Sid instead? He sure whipped us straight.” Balthazar’s shoulders relaxed, softly smiling at the memory.
“And we thought Merlin was strict.” He reminisced. Looking back at Dave he sighed, “Alright, I won’t ask her but I suggest you at least reveal some of this to her, she has a right to know.” He finished. Dave smiled,
“Thanks. I’ll tell her when the time is right but for now, she doesn’t need to worry about this, she’ll have plenty on her plate with high school coming this fall.” Dave said, “Thanks for coming to the wedding though, I know crowds aren’t typically your thing.”
“Of course, don’t let me bog down your night boy, it seems you’re being beckoned,” Balthazar replied, pointing towards Becky who was trying to get Dave's attention. Dave smiled, saying goodbye to the both of them before making his way to Becky.
Balthazar sighed, still conflicted with the situation. Glancing at the pergola where the sister in question ran off, he spotted a familiar cane. It couldn’t be… Balthazar went to go see for himself if he was truly seeing things correctly but Veronica placed a hand on his chest,
“I know how hard this might be for you but it’s out of our hands Blake. I’m sure Dave will tell her when it’s right.” Balthazar was barely paying attention to what Veronica was telling him, trying not to lose the figure in the crowd but it was too late. Maybe he was just seeing things. Balthazar wasn’t used to things being so calm, so quiet. He scanned the crowd once more, finding no sign of Horvath, and sighed, looking back at Veronica, smiling,
“I hope so,” He said, guiding Veronica towards a less crowded area outside to watch the sunset. Even as he tried to relax, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amidst. He could only hope his foresight was wrong, but when was it ever?