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ayane_tsurugi!
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merlin_holidaysTitle: When the music changes, so does the dance
Recipient:ayane_tsurugi
Author:giselleslash
Rating: R, maybe NC-17ish
Pairings: Merlin/Arthur
Word Count: ~7800
Warnings: Modern AU and perhaps ridiculous amounts of fluff.
Summary: The boys are in high school and the winter dance is coming up. Arthur thinks he should school Merlin in the fine art of the waltz and Merlin just wants to make it through it all without succumbing to teenage angst, after school detention and Christmas dinner at the Pendragons.
Author's Notes: I took your prompt; 'notes/letters' and kind of rolled with that. I'm not sure if this is what you wanted exactly but I really hope you enjoy it all the same :)
Disclaimer: The characters depicted herein belong to Shine and BBC. I make no profit from this endeavor.
'Do you think she knows she looks like a chicken in that fluffy jumper? What is that?'
Merlin looked down at the note Arthur tossed over his shoulder. Arthur was sat just behind him and it made for an awful, awful time on Merlin's end since Arthur was forever writing him notes and tapping him on the shoulder asking, 'What's that? What'd she say?' and 'Well, that makes no sense, Merlin. She ought to know that.' whenever Merlin would answer. He wasn't quite sure if Arthur had some sort of comprehension problem or if he was simply that thick. And annoying.
'What sort of chickens are you cavorting with that they wear fluffy jumpers?' Merlin pretended to stretch and let the note drop down onto Arthur's desk behind him.
Merlin heard the faint sound of Arthur's snort and then the scratching of his pencil as he wrote a reply.
'The Muppet sort. Obviously.'
Merlin rolled his eyes at Arthur's response as he wrote down his own. 'I still don't understand the fluffy jumpers. Not even the Muppet chickens on the show wore jumpers. There's something off with you.'
'Well my Muppet chickens happen to be rabid Lord of the Flies type Muppet chickens that have obviously started killing the other Muppets on Muppet Island and have made fluffy jumpers out of their fluffy Muppet skins as a sort of macabre display of victory. Really, Merlin, it's like you're intentionally dim.'
Merlin laughed out right at that and sure enough Mrs. Carson was on him in a flash.
"Merlin Emrys, I doubt Hemingway would appreciate you laughing at a discussion of his suicide."
"Oh I doubt that, Mrs. Carson," Arthur piped up. "Wasn't he pissed most of the time anyway? I'd suspect in that state he'd find all sorts of inappropriate things quite hilarious actually."
"I'm not even going to grace that with a response, Mr. Pendragon. Instead I suggest you escort Mr. Emrys to the Headmaster's office so the two of you may share your wit and insight with him. I'm sure he'll find it fascinating."
"No doubt he will, Mrs. C." Merlin groaned as Arthur got up out of his desk, smiled quite charmingly at Mrs. Carson and yanked on his arm. "Off we go, Merlin, Headmaster Ferrington awaits."
"With bated breath, I'm sure," Mrs. Carson said wryly as she watched Arthur march Merlin out the door.
"Arthur," Merlin hissed once the door closed behind them and they were alone in the hallway. "If I'm stuck in detention because of you I'm never speaking to you again. And I mean it this time."
Arthur just laughed and slung an arm around Merlin's neck. "Of course you do, Merlin. You always mean it. You're a very sincere sort, y'know."
Merlin elbowed Arthur in the side and he let out a pained groan. Arthur was utterly impossible, a truly horrible friend that was forever getting them both into trouble and one of these days Merlin really, truly, was going to stick to his threats. Really.
Arthur's arm dropped off of Merlin's shoulder so he could rub at his ribs where Merlin had elbowed him.
"You know I am sorry, Merlin. I didn't mean for you to get into trouble."
And at that Merlin stopped walking because Arthur had stopped and there they were stood in the middle of the empty hallway staring at each other, Arthur with a stricken puppy dog look on his face and Merlin fighting hard to keep a look of exasperation on his own.
Arthur reached out and tugged at Merlin's sleeve. "Don't be mad."
Merlin continued to glare. He could do this. He really, honestly could.
Arthur's eyes grew bigger and even more pathetic.
Well. Maybe.
"Merlin," Arthur practically whined. "I said, don't be mad."
Merlin bit his lower lip and scrunched up his face a bit, maybe that would make him look like he was still arsed off and not trying desperately to keep the fond look off of it and keep his hand from shoving at Arthur's ridiculously adorable face.
"I hate it when you're mad at me. It gives me a stomachache. You don't want to make me ill now do you, Merlin?"
"Oh good god, do shut up, Arthur," Merlin huffed as he turned on his heels and continued walking toward the Headmaster's office. "You're like a small, crabby child sometimes."
"Ha!" Arthur shouted at Merlin's back before jogging to catch up with him.
"Don't be a smug bastard," Merlin warned.
Arthur only laughed and threw his arm back around Merlin's neck. Merlin stumbled a bit as Arthur jostled him about.
"Ack. I knew you loved me. Never doubted it for a minute. I'm just that charming."
Merlin knew Arthur was joking about and he rolled his eyes accordingly while giving Arthur another good shove, but the sorry fact of it all was that it was entirely true.
Merlin did love Arthur. In a truly desperate and painfully pathetic way.
Fucking charming tosser.
~~~**~~~
Merlin was scared out of his wits and nearly threw his laptop at Arthur when he tumbled through Merlin's open bedroom window.
"Fucking hell, Arthur, warn a guy when you're about to fall through his window and scare the fucking piss out of him, a'right?"
"I didn't fall through your window, I merely entered your bedroom less than gracefully. There's a difference."
"Hardly," Merlin muttered.
"And. And," Arthur said over Merlin's muttering and completely ignoring him, "if I had known you've apparently turned into an overly dramatic girl so easily frightened out of her knickers I would've announced my presence and given proper warning, but seeing as how I was operating under the assumption you were my mate, Merlin and not a crying toddler, I chose not to."
"Stop talking, Arthur," Merlin said as he went back to the history paper he was trying to finish up.
"Whatcha doing?" Arthur asked, deciding, apparently, to ignore the stop talking option as he crawled into bed next to Merlin. "Oh, is that porn? Are you writing porny bits?"
"I'm not writing porn," Merlin said as he tried to shove Arthur off of him when he leaned in to look at Merlin's computer screen. "I'm writing my history paper that's due tomorrow. Like you should be doing."
Arthur just hummed and kept leaning over Merlin in an attempt to read his computer screen.
"Have you even started your paper, Arthur?"
"No, not as such."
"It's due tomorrow."
"There is that, yes."
"Arthur."
"What? It's taken care of."
"Really? So where is your paper then? The paper you just said you haven't started, as such."
Arthur tapped Merlin's computer screen. "It's all in there. I'm sure of it."
"What, are there little fairies in my laptop that are writing it for you then?"
"Yes, exactly that, Merlin. Your little laptop fairies do all my homework for me. Well done, you, sussing that one out."
Merlin just gave Arthur a look and went back to typing.
Arthur huffed and reached over to Merlin's nightstand to pick up the book he was reading. He settled back next to Merlin, his back against the headboard as he pretended to read. Merlin kept typing but he knew his peace and quiet wouldn't last for long. He did have to give Arthur credit though, he was quiet for an entire ten minutes before he set the book down.
"Merlin."
"Hm?" Merlin tried to keep typing.
"Merrrlin."
"I said, hm, do you need a written invitation to proceed?"
"Rude," Arthur said as he shut Merlin's book up, forgetting entirely to put his bookmark back in. Moron. J"When are you going to finish your paper so you can help me with mine?"
"I don't know who you've been speaking to but I'm going to sleep when I'm done with mine. It's after eleven."
"You know how I hate typing. I know what I want to say I just need you to type it for me, yeah?"
"You know exactly what you want to say for an eight page paper?"
"Yep."
"Prove it."
"Type it."
"Fine. If you can rattle off an eight page paper I'll type it."
Merlin didn't actually doubt Arthur's claim of having it all in his head, he'd typed countless pages of words dictated by Arthur seemingly off the top of his head. Arthur was a bit of a Rainman if Merlin were to be honest. He was quite brilliant about the most random shit, probably including the Napoleonic Wars which is what their papers were supposed to be about. The problem with Arthur wasn't his intellect, it was his motivation mixed up with his dyslexia. Arthur could do it, type his own paper, if he actually had a mind to do it and could concentrate for longer than three minute segments but he just didn't have it in him to do it, and, well, Merlin didn't have it in him not to type the papers for Arthur so really they were both idiots now weren't they? But he just liked egging Arthur on because he was adorable when he was all determined to prove Merlin wrong.
Also maybe just the teeny tiniest bit really fucking hot when he'd rattle off a top mark paper at the drop of a hat. Stupid, sexy smart Arthur.
Merlin finished up his paper and then spent the next hour typing out the ten page, overachieving wanker, paper that Arthur dictated to him. When they were done Arthur offered to look over Merlin's paper for him seeing as how it was bound to be inferior to his own. Merlin scowled and threw a book at Arthur's head which he ducked on his way to tackle hugging Merlin.
"You know I'd be lost without you, yeah?" Arthur asked as he practically sat on Merlin's lap and squeezed the life out of him.
"You have a funny way of showing it, ass."
Arthur just snorted and hugged him tighter and Merlin did the same. He also stopped himself from saying that he'd be utterly lost without Arthur as well, only in an entirely different way. He both loved and loathed Arthur's violent outbursts of affection because he knew Arthur never ever meant them in the way Merlin hoped he meant them but that fact didn't make them any less lovely in return.
Arthur sort of collapsed on Merlin, his cheek smashed against Merlin's shoulder. "Can I stay tonight?" Arthur muttered.
"Your dad and Morgana at it again?"
"Oh my god, yes. Morgana's shouts can be heard from space and dad's are just as bad. I'm sure they've shouted themselves out by now but it's always so much nicer here. I'll be so glad when winter break is over and Morgana is back at university. Blessed, blessed peace."
Merlin smiled. "You miss her, don't pretend like you don't."
Arthur made a snuffling sort of snorting noise then shrugged his shoulders and admitted it. "Yeah, I do. I love that harpy, what can I say? I just wish her and dad had a force field around them or something when they start going at it. They're going to give me an ulcer."
"I thought I was the one giving you an ulcer. You told me in chem lab just two days ago, 'Merlin, your scientifically handicapped mind is going to give me an ulcer. And also probably burn down the chem lab.'"
"I'm surprised you haven't yet blown up something. You get a maniacal look in your eyes when you light up a Bunsen burner. It's creepy. And not at all right."
"That's why you're there to make sure I don't singe off my eyebrows."
"Or drink the pretty pink stuff in the test tubes."
"I only said it looked yummy, I wasn't actually going to drink it."
Arthur looked up at Merlin, his left eyebrow cocked. "One never knows with you, Merlin. One never knows."
Arthur rolled off the bed and knelt down to pull the sleeping bag that Merlin always kept stashed for him out from underneath the bed. Merlin tossed him a pillow.
"Do you need pyjamas?"
"Nah. I'll just sleep in my lacy knickers and give you a thrill."
"If you're actually wearing lacy knickers I'd be more worried than thrilled."
"Oh, wouldn't you just love a cross-dressing mate. Don't lie. It's a dream of yours. I promise they're pink and very frilly," Arthur added as if that sweetened the deal.
"Go to bed, Arthur," Merlin said as he yawned and shimmied himself under the sheets.
"Don't switch off the lights yet," Arthur said as he started to undo his belt. "You don't want to miss the frilly knickers."
Merlin snorted and turned off the light. "You've already traumatized me enough." He laughed when Arthur's jeans hit him in the face along with a muttered, 'spoilsport,' from Arthur.
~~~**~~~
'Are you taking anyone to the winter dance?'
Merlin looked down at the notebook Arthur had pushed across the table. They were in the library suffering through their after school detention, courtesy of Arthur and his jumper wearing Muppet chickens. He scowled at Arthur and tried to push the notebook back across the table. If they were caught it would just mean more detention surely. Mrs. Mallors, the detention monitor, wasn't called the Dragon Lady for nothing. Arthur just scowled back at him and straight armed the notebook right back to him. Merlin sighed and scribbled a quick reply.
'Freya.'
Merlin watched Arthur carefully when he passed the notebook back. He'd only asked Freya out of desperation. He knew Arthur would ask Gwen or Viv and despite the fact that watching Arthur dance with someone else would be torture he couldn't not go to the dance either. Freya, thankfully, knew about his pathetic crush and was more than happy to go as friends although he was hoping Arthur wouldn't find that bit out. So Merlin watched as Arthur pulled the notebook over to read it. Merlin could tell the moment his eyes landed on the single word because he instantly frowned and it was like he deflated entirely, his shoulders dropped and everything. Merlin couldn't understand it, there was nothing wrong with Freya.
"Really?" Arthur whispered out loud.
"Shh, shut up. We'll get in trouble," Merlin hissed back.
Arthur seemed not to hear him. "I didn't even know you liked her. Why didn't I know that?"
Merlin saw the Dragon Lady looking over at them and he snapped at Arthur, "For godsake, write it down or we'll be here for the rest of the month."
Arthur made a face at Merlin but did as he was told and started scribbling down a note.
'Why didn't you tell me you liked Freya?'
'I wasn't aware I had to tell you everything.'
'Well. You do.'
'Fine. I like Freya.'
'Thanks for the advance notice, twat.'
'What does it matter who I take?'
For some reason that question seemed to stump Arthur because he just stared down at the notebook like it was about to jump up at him and his concentrated glare was the only thing keeping it grounded to the table. Merlin watched as he bit his lower lip, a telltale sign he was confused or unsure about something, which only made Merlin more confused as well. It wasn't rocket science, his question. Why the hell was it taking him so long to figure out what to write back? Arthur's forehead crinkled up before he finally wrote down his reply.
'It doesn't, I guess.'
Oh, now that just arsed Merlin off. He hated when Arthur tried to get out of answering by saying fuck all.
'Of course it does. Answer for real this time.'
Merlin underlined the 'for real' bit about seven times which only made Arthur roll his eyes when he read it but he started writing anyway.
'Dunno. Guess I was just surprised that I didn't know you were going to ask her.'
Merlin read the note and was about to write in the notebook when Arthur suddenly leaned across the table and grabbed it back. He hunched over it and wrote some more.
'I don't like not knowing stuff about you. You know everything about me. Not fair, Merlin.'
'That's because you talk constantly and find yourself unnecessarily interesting. How could I not know everything about you?'
'Har har. I'm laughing on the inside.'
Merlin snorted and the Dragon Lady called out his name. Oh fucking buggery.
"Mr. Emrys, do you have something you need to get off your chest?"
"No, ma'am. Just a sneeze. Very sorry." Merlin was sure not to look at Arthur who had his hand over his mouth trying not to laugh. Asshat.
"Do be quiet from now on, and get back to work."
"Yes, ma'am."
'You fucktard. Stop getting me in trouble!!'
Arthur seemed to give up on the notes after that and concentrated on doodling all over the notebook instead. Merlin was tempted to remind him of their Lit. paper that was due in three days but figured not to bother since Arthur would never do it so far in advance of the due date. Merlin went back to his work but it wasn't long before the edge of the notebook was jabbing at his arm.
'Sorry.'
Merlin shrugged and wrote down, 'It's all right. I'm used to it.'
Arthur smiled at him then wrote some more. 'So, you're taking Freya then?'
'Yeah. Are you going to ask Gwen or Viv?'
'Probably Viv. Gwen's been hanging out with Morgana now that she's back for winter holidays and I think M's got her on an anti-penis phase.'
Merlin bit his lip to keep from laughing. 'What happened to Leon?'
'He's penis non grata apparently.'
'What could Leon, of all people, possibly do to arse M off?'
'Dunno. That's like saying a puppy arsed you off, yeah? WTF?'
'Oh, the mystery that is Morgana.'
'More like the migraine that is Morgana, but it was nice of you to make her evil sound so sparkly.'
'Morgana's super sparkly, what the hell are you on about? She wears glittery lip gloss and has shiny hair and would probably ride a unicorn if there were such things.'
'WHAT? THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS UNICORNS?? Way to break my HEART, Merlin.'
'Well obviously I meant such things as unicorn RIDES because there are totally such things as unicorns. We just can't ride them is all.'
'Our arses aren't magical enough to ride unicorns.'
'They need to be blessed by pixies beforehand and those fuckers are hard. to. catch.'
Arthur laughed out loud at that, a great snorting laugh, and before Mrs. Mallors could even say his name he turned around and waved at her. "Yes, I'll be seeing your lovely face tomorrow won't I, Mrs. M? I can't wait! You're like a double rainbow at the end of a long day."
Mrs. Mallors didn't say a thing, only lifted up four fingers letting Arthur know he wasn't getting off with only tomorrow's detention.
"Aw, bugger," he muttered under his breath as he slumped down in his chair and proceeded to pout.
Merlin did Arthur's calculus homework for him to make up for the detention.
And not at all for the brilliant smile, one-arm hug and the, 'thanks, mate!' he got when he handed it over on their way home.
~~~**~~~
Merlin spent the next week putting up with Arthur's complaints about detention and how Merlin should probably do all his homework for him since he as the one that made Arthur laugh in the first place. Arthur was taking one for the team, dammit. Merlin reminded him there were only two of them and that hardly constituted a team. Arthur said fine and amended it to taking one for the duo consisting of one awesome superstar (Arthur) and one pedantic wanker (Merlin). Arthur was surprised to find that tactic didn't get his homework done for him either.
Merlin also had to suffer through an early Christmas dinner at Arthur's house since Morgana was planning on being at Leon's on the day itself. Merlin had only gone after excessive begging and whining from Arthur that he'd surely die if Merlin wasn't there to deflect all the evil coming from Morgana and the thinly veiled disappointment coming from his father. Merlin knew Arthur liked to overreact, he was nothing if not dramatic, and that really Morgana was just a first rate teaser-slash-smartarse and Uther was simply an overly interested father. He wanted to know everything Arthur did and did he have a good time doing it and how was school and what about Vivian and the dance until Arthur would yell in dramatic fashion, "You're tearing me apart!!" and then throw himself off his chair. Uther would only huff and mumble something about getting Arthur back on Ritalin.
The evening started off just as embarrassing as all of Merlin's nightmares had told him it would be.
"Say, Merlin," Arthur said, loudly, the moment they were all seated at the table. "Leon's penis is now grata, isn't that great news for Leon and his penis?"
Merlin shook his head and groaned as Leon spit out his water, Morgana glared and Uther mouthed, "penis?" to the table at large in a truly disturbing display of one the plethora of words Merlin wanted never to hear Uther Pendragon say.
"I just thought you'd like to know why he's here since last we spoke of the lovely Leon I had informed you that Morgana had declared war on him and his junk."
Merlin cut his ham into tiny pieces and said, "Thank you, Arthur," as politely and evenly as he could. "I'm now informed and we can move on."
Arthur smiled at him. "We should toast Leon and his penis first, it would fit right in with our festive mood."
"Oh my god, Arthur. Stop talking about my penis," Leon spluttered, his face as red as a tomato.
"I can't help it," Arthur shrugged. "It's fantastic news. I'm sure the baby Jesus is happy to hear it."
Merlin watched as Morgana went from her angry face to her, oh fucking shit, I'm going to laugh face. She scrunched it up in an effort not to laugh as she reached over and rubbed Leon's back. "There, there," she managed to get out.
Uther finally broke into the conversation. "Arthur, I feel as if the subject of Leon's penis is not entirely appropriate for the Christmas table. Are you planning on buying Vivian flowers for the dance this Friday?"
And with that brilliant segue Christmas dinner at the Pendragons carried on.
Later, after even more inappropriate table talk from Arthur, they were thankfully free of said table and were up in Arthur's room.
"See, that wasn't so bad," Arthur said from his bed. Merlin had sat down at Arthur's desk and instantly turned down the volume on his computer before waking it up. Arthur was fond of leaving porn sites on and turning his volume all the way up so when Merlin would get on he'd be greeted with screams and grunts and the slapping sound of two, three, or six, people going at it in hardcore fashion. This time it was two women.
"Lookit those, Merlin," Arthur said. "The one on the right, have you ever seen fake ones like that? They look like they could pop at any minute. Really, don't you think?"
"I think that's probably enough sexy talk for one Christmas. Let's save some for next year, yeah?"
"Whatever. But I think you're missing out."
Merlin tuned out Arthur, who continued to talk about why discussing some porn star's fake boobs was, 'doing the lord's work and wasn't that what Christmas was all about?' while he checked his and Arthur's Facebook pages. Gwaine had left a message on Arthur's wall about Elena's awesome face but nearly every word was spelled wrong so Merlin suspected he was probably a bit drunk because he also ended the message with, 'MONKEYS ARE HILARIOUS!!' in all caps. Freya had sent Merlin a message asking him whether or not he'd manned up already and asked Arthur to the dance. Merlin deleted the message instantly and gave a quick look over his shoulder to see if Arthur was paying attention, thankfully he was on his phone texting someone and still muttering about fake boobs.
Merlin had just about had it with Freya. She was constantly on him about his big stupid mancrush on Arthur. And the worst thing was she was Freya. She wasn't doing it to be a nag or to make his life hell she was genuinely concerned about it and wanted Merlin to fess up for his own good. Merlin also secretly suspected that she wanted to plan their gay wedding, she kept mentioning doves for no specific reason Merlin could suss out. Her latest theory that Merlin and Arthur were Meant To Be was the fact that apparently Viv complained to Freya that Arthur had been less than enthusiastic when he asked her to the dance. He'd been all, so let's go, yeah? sort of like she was his last resort. Freya told him Viv'd said no at first because she thought Arthur really didn't want to go with her at all but in a moment of unexpected perception on Arthur's part he'd picked up on the reason for her 'no' and asked instead if they couldn't maybe just go as friends.
Merlin didn't quite know what to make of that. He knew Arthur wasn't serious about anybody, he was never serious about anybody. He usually alternated between taking either Gwen or Viv out to a movie or whatever, although half the time he'd drag Merlin along because it was a movie they had both talked about wanting to see and Merlin was the only one that would humor Arthur and talk back to the movie with him. Gwen or Viv would merely sit on Arthur's other side and suffer through it; Viv usually texting her friends and Gwen texting Lance who was off at university this year. Arthur usually just smiled fondly at Gwen when she'd do that because she was very empathic about the fact that she and Lance had broken up before he left for school because long distance relationships never work out but that didn't stop her from talking about him non-stop and from them calling, texting and emailing each other nearly constantly. Merlin suspected that Arthur just asked Gwen out so no one else would. Arthur was a bit of a closet romantic and knew Gwen and Lance would get back together eventually. In fact, one night while the three of them ate burgers after a movie Arthur had rattled off a list he'd compiled of baby names for Gwen and Lance's future children. Gwen had given Arthur several withering looks and again proclaimed her independence and emotional maturity in letting an impossible relationship go all the while cooing over the names Max and Ilsa (which had actually been Maximilian after Arthur's first dog and Ilsa after Arthur's Swedish nanny that he'd had wanking fantasies about until the age of fifteen, thankfully he'd refrained from telling those facts to Gwen).
"Say, Merlin," Arthur's voice made Merlin jump, he'd been in his own little world of teenage angst. "Do you even know how to dance, or are you going to trod all over Freya's feet?"
"I know how to dance," Merlin said indignantly. He didn't.
"Are you sure? Cos you've got really big feet, and they're uncommonly fat for someone so skinny."
"I haven't got fat feet! How can you even have fat feet?"
"Okay, fine, wide. You've got wiiiide feet, Merlin."
"That's not any better!"
"Whatever," Arthur said as he crawled off the end of his bed and stood in front of Merlin. "Our focus here should be your dancing skills and Freya's unfortunate feet."
"I told you I can dance."
"You can flail, a bit like a Muppet, but I wouldn't consider it dancing."
"When have you seen me flail-dance?"
"Lance's graduation party last year. You slapped Gwaine in the face during one of your more enthusiastic displays of dancing. He had a red mark and everything."
"I do not recall this incident."
"Because you were drunk and talking about monkeys."
"Ha! That's where you're wrong. Gwaine is the monkey freak when he's drunk, not me. Just look at your Facebook," Merlin waved his hand at Arthur's computer. "Proof!"
"You both talk about monkeys, although your drunken rants usually branch off into other weird and disturbing places. Gwaine mainly just sticks to monkeys and how hilarious they are."
Merlin's face turned into a pout, Arthur was probably right, although he'd never admit it. While he sat and glared at him Arthur reached past him to get at his computer and pull up his music files.
"Seriously, Merlin," Arthur said as he looked down at him. "Do you know how to properly dance?"
"No, not as such."
The corner of Arthur's mouth turned up at Merlin's use of his usual response to, 'are you done with your homework?' questions.
"Come on then," Arthur said as he grabbed Merlin's hand and yanked him up. "Let me show you."
"Like I can trust you to show me how to properly dance. You'll teach me the African Anteater Ritual or something like that."
"This isn't an 80s teen comedy, Merlin, no matter how much you love Molly Ringwald."
"She's the source of my intense love for all things ginger."
"Yes, this is all common knowledge, Merlin. You're weird. Now get up and let me show you how to dance."
"Promise you won't teach me something stupid?"
"Of course I promise, this is serious stuff," Arthur's face itself was suddenly serious. Far more serious than the moment called for at any rate. "You like Freya, right? You should know how to dance so you have a perfect night. Doesn't everyone want to have one perfect dance with the person they like?"
Arthur's question made something drop in Merlin's stomach. He looked up at Arthur's face and saw the slight flush working its way up his neck and the oddly intent shine in his eyes.
"Yes," Merlin nearly shouted, then realized how he sounded and continued in a more normal tone of voice. "Um. Yeah. They do. I mean, yes, I think everyone wants that. Yeah."
Merlin might have been mistaken but he thought he noticed Arthur letting out a relieved puff of air before he pulled himself together again.
"Honestly, Merlin, you needn't shout at me." He gave Merlin a cocky half grin and tugged him by the hand to the middle of his room. Merlin laughed and stumbled after him.
"Stand here," Arthur ordered as he walked back over to his computer. "We need appropriate music."
Merlin laughed again when Celine Dion started singing out from Arthur's computer. "You're such an asshole." Merlin couldn't hide his grin when he saw Arthur smiling proudly. "And why do you even have Celine Dion on your computer in the first place? That says a lot about you, Arthur."
"I've been saving it for exactly this moment." Arthur grinned at Merlin as he stood himself in front of him. "This has been a dream of mine, don't you know?"
Merlin rolled his eyes at Arthur but didn't say a word as he arranged their limbs into proper dancing order. He even got his arms smacked when he didn't hold them properly. Arthur told him not to have noodle arms for christsake, Merlin.
"Nobody puts Baby in the corner, right, Arthur?"
"Oh, shut it."
Merlin tried not to laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation; Arthur saying he'd be the girl and for the love of fuck treat him like a lady, a'right? and painstakingly counting out their steps and showing Merlin just how to go about a proper waltz.
"Arthur," Merlin whined. "We're not being presented to the Queen, why do I need to learn how to waltz?"
"Shut up and dance."
"Oh, that would be a good movie, wouldn't it?"
"Merlin!"
Merlin pretended like he didn't see the corner of Arthur's mouth turn up in a grin.
He also managed not to be an utter disaster and only stepped on Arthur's feet a few times.
"You're not a complete disaster like I had thought you'd be," Arthur confessed after Merlin pulled off a practically mistake free and very nearly graceful turn about the room.
"Don't act surprised. I've got rhythm."
Arthur threw his head back and laughed and Merlin was reminded again, as he held Arthur's hand in his and stared at his stupidly gorgeous face, that there really was only Arthur for him. There was no hope for him, really, it would always be Arthur. Always.
Arthur wrapped his arms around him just then and dipped Merlin, still laughing, and Merlin shouted out as he grabbed at Arthur's arms to make sure he didn't end up on his ass but he joined in with Arthur's laughter anyway. They were both nearly falling over each other as Arthur managed to haul Merlin upright, their arms wrapped around each other and their faces inches apart. The laughter quieted and then stopped all together as they stared at each other. Arthur smiled fondly at Merlin before hugging him even closer and pressing his cheek against Merlin's as he started to sway them from side to side. Merlin kept his arms latched tight around Arthur's waist and swayed with him. He dropped his forehead to Arthur's shoulder and closed his eyes against the thumping of his heart and the shivers running down his spine. The moment was too perfect and Merlin was going to hold onto it for as long as Arthur let him. He could feel Arthur's open palm burning into his back, right between his shoulder blades where Arthur had centered it, almost like he wanted to keep Merlin as close as possible.
"You'll want to do this too. On Friday night," Arthur said, his voice nearly a whisper and his breath ruffling Merlin's hair. "You'll hold Freya close, just like this, and it'll be perfect."
Merlin wanted to say, no, no it won't. It would never be as perfect as it is right now and didn't Arthur see that? Instead he tightened his hold on Arthur, curled his fingers into the soft cotton of Arthur's button down and held on like his life depended on it. And it felt like it did, in that moment, like he needed to grab all he could get and fill himself full because this was all he'd ever have of Arthur. He felt Arthur's arms around his shoulders do the same thing, and it took all the breath out of him.
"Arthur," he managed to get out on a low, quiet breath. He didn't know what else to say but he had to say Arthur's name, just to hear the way it sounded on his lips when they were so close to Arthur.
He heard Arthur make a sound, something caught halfway between a word and a choking breath, and then his hand was on the back of Merlin's neck. Warm and sure and Merlin looked up at him just as he leaned in and pressed his lips to Merlin's. The shock of the contact made them both push back from one another until they stood a foot or so apart, staring at each other, flushed and a bit wild-eyed.
"Don't go to the dance with Freya," Arthur said suddenly. Loudly. "I don't want you to."
Merlin swallowed, blinked, felt his hands curl into fists at his sides because they'd suddenly gone numb and he didn't know what to do with them.
"Please, Merlin."
"What?"
"Please don't go with her."
"Why?"
Merlin seemed to only be capable of one word responses and even then he wasn't quite sure what he was actually saying.
"Why? What do you mean, why? Because I don't want you to go with her, that's why."
Arthur seemed just as incoherent as Merlin, apparently.
"That's not a proper reason."
Oh my god, why was he nearly shouting at Arthur?
"Jesus. Fine. Be that way," Arthur shouted back. "The real reason why? I'm a selfish git and I don't want you to be with her all flailing around and dancing like a drunken monkey and touching her and being your stupid Merlin self because I love you and you should go with me. There. That's my proper reason."
"No you don't!"
Arthur looked confused as hell and Merlin didn't blame him.
"No I don't what?"
"You don't love me." Merlin looked down and saw he was pointing at Arthur. Good god, why was he doing that?
"Yes I do!"
"No you don't!"
"Fucking buggering hell. Why is this our conversation right now?" Arthur asked in frustration as he ran his hand through his hair.
"Because you just don't go around telling me you love me when you've never given me even the tiniest little hint that you might."
"A hint? God, Merlin, I could punch you in the face and you wouldn't notice, how in the hell would you notice a hint?"
"Oh, I think I'd notice all right."
"Really? Really, Merlin? So you'd notice that I spend like 99% of my waking life with you and practically 50% of my sleeping time too. Do you really think I need to sleep at your place? That I couldn't just tell Morgana and my dad to shut it and they would? They're not that dedicated to their arguments, you know. They're just bored most of the time. No. I do it cos I want to be near you. Like I am, all the time. I take you on dates with me. Fuck, Merlin. Do I need to sit on you to get you to see that?"
"Yeah. Well. If I'm so stupid then clearly you're just as stupid," Merlin blurted out. "I could basically say all of that, except in reverse, since you obviously haven't noticed I kinda love you too so I suppose neither one of us is likely to get the Sherlock award, now are we?"
Arthur opened his mouth to say something but closed it instead and just smiled at Merlin in that way he had that said; you're really very, very stupid, aren't you Merlin? It was a cocky, know-it-all sort of smile and it was one of Merlin's favorites.
"I think we should both just shut the fuck up and kiss, don't you?" Arthur asked.
Merlin shrugged and decided to pay Arthur back for his Stupid Merlin smile.
"I don't know. Do you think you can handle all of this?" he asked as he waved his hand up and down his side.
He tried to keep a straight face but Arthur snorted and all he could see was his brilliant smile as he threw himself at Merlin and tackled him onto his bed. Merlin laughed and wrapped his arms around Arthur as he fell backwards.
"Why do I even like you?" Arthur asked, his grin still wide and his nose pressed against Merlin's. "You're the biggest berk I know."
"That's my appeal, just like your appeal is that you're the world's biggest douchebag."
"It's like we were meant to be." Arthur sighed dreamily and Merlin gave him a good smack for it. He also figured his best bet at shutting Arthur up was to kiss him.
Arthur apparently agreed because once Merlin's lips touched his he stopped his theatrics and grabbed at Merlin's hips as he kissed him back, sort of desperate and hurried like Merlin might disappear on him. Merlin wrapped his arms and legs around Arthur, every limb he could use to hold him down against him, the weight of Arthur on top of him heavy and reassuring and like nothing Merlin could have imagined it would be. Arthur made a pleased sort of humming noise when Merlin wrapped himself around him. The hum vibrated over Merlin's lips and he opened up even more to Arthur's kiss. When Arthur's tongue made a tentative sweep of his mouth he thought he should laugh at it all, him here with Arthur's tongue in his mouth, how the hell did that happen? But laughing was the furthest thing from his mind because Arthur was using his knees to push himself closer to Merlin and Merlin couldn't stop his hips from pushing up to meet him. He was pretty sure it was going to be impossible to touch Arthur as much as he wanted. There was no way he'd ever be close enough, held tightly enough to satisfy Merlin's need for him. His absolute want.
That was the thing, Merlin had only imagined before how much he wanted Arthur. He thought that empty aching want was nearly unbearable when he didn't have Arthur in his arms, but now that he was there it felt a thousand times more unbearable. Merlin was shaking with it and he dug his heels into the backs of Arthur's thighs to anchor himself to him, both their hips pushing and rolling against each other.
"Shit. Oh god, Merlin," Arthur's mouth pressing sloppy wet words and kisses against Merlin's neck.
Merlin clenched at Arthur's shirt at the small of his back as he slid his other hand into the back pocket of Arthur's jeans. His hand moved with the rise and fall of Arthur's hips, the curve of Arthur's ass right there beneath his fingertips, perfect and his, and the thought made him even harder than before. The heat was prickling up and down his spine and desire lay heavy in the pit of his stomach. He could feel Arthur as well, hard as he was, and nearly breathless too. They were fumbling and pushing at each other in a ridiculous tangle and Merlin knew it wasn't near perfect but they had to do it. They had to get this first burst of heat and desperation out of them so they could both settle and stop shaking and maybe carry on with all the rest. They just needed to come, hard and fast, and feel that release of everything.
Arthur's hand moved between them and brushed against Merlin's cock. He gasped and felt his face heat up as he begged Arthur, please, please, more. Arthur's fingers curled around him and even through his jeans he could feel the heat of Arthur's palm burning into him. His hips jerked up and Arthur's hand started stroking.
"Me too," Arthur breathed. "I want...me too. Your hands, fuck."
Merlin shook his head, yes, oh god, yes and scrambled to get his hand between them, to get it on Arthur, as he pressed quick hurried kisses along Arthur's jaw. And that first contact, that first touch when he knew he held Arthur in his hand at the same time he had Arthur wrapped around him, was more intense than Merlin could get a handle on. He shut his eyes against the rush as he came with a sudden, jarring thrust up into Arthur's hand. It was quick and embarrassing and he was already mumbling, 'sorry, sorry, sorry's against Arthur's mouth when he felt Arthur still suddenly before a shudder moved through his body.
They didn't move right away, Arthur stayed heavy and solid on top of him as they waited for their breathing to slow and the lethargy that had suddenly taken them over to pass. Merlin felt heavy too, so heavy that he would sink down into Arthur's bed and disappear. And he didn't care. He didn't want to move anyway. Arthur was caught between his thighs and his lips were pressed to the skin behind Merlin's right ear. It was perfect, why would he ever want to move?
Arthur groaned and shifted above him. Merlin didn't move his legs though, he wasn't near ready to let him go. Arthur started to laugh right then, a low lazy laugh that tickled Merlin's ear. Merlin shifted his hips and smiled.
"You're laughing cos we still have each other's dicks in our hands, yeah?"
"Maybe." Arthur laughed more.
"You're such an immature twat, Arthur, really."
"Shut up. This is my afterglow, deal with it."
Merlin's grin widened and he pulled his hand out of Arthur's back pocket so he could give his ass a good slap.
"Mm. I like that," Arthur muttered.
"You would."
Merlin could feel Arthur's smile against the side of his neck and he kind of thought that was were it should always be. Arthur must have agreed because he moved his hand to the other side of Merlin's neck and held it gently, almost tentatively in a way that made Merlin's heart ache. Arthur's thumb brushed slowly back and forth over the curve of his jaw and Merlin threaded his fingers into Arthur's hair and wrapped his other arm around Arthur's shoulders and hugged him, as tightly as he could. Arthur's, 'I really do love you, Merlin' was so quiet that he wouldn't have even heard it if Arthur's lips hadn't been so close.
"You're pretty much the best thing there is, Arthur Pendragon," Merlin whispered back. "But don't let that go to your head."
Arthur pulled back slightly so he could look down into Merlin's face. "Does this mean you're dumping Freya and going to the dance with me?"
"You sound far too happy about the dumping Freya bit. Poor girl."
"Whatever. I have it on good authority that you going to the dance with me makes the baby Jesus very very happy."
"You keep saying shit like that like you and the baby Jesus are BFFs. I worry about you, Arthur."
"Worry all you want. All I know is that we got all of our super special feelings sorted out, you'll be doing the African Anteater Ritual with me at the dance and I had my hand on your dick just now. It's a Christmas miracle," Arthur said happily.
Merlin rolled his eyes at Arthur's stupidly happy grin. "I dunno, Arthur, maybe your dad was right. I think there should maybe be some Ritalin in your future."
Arthur just ignored him and kept on smiling.
"A Christmas miracle, Merlin!"
And Merlin gave up and kissed him because, really? Merlin kind of agreed.
~End
Recipient:
ayane_tsurugiAuthor:
giselleslashRating: R, maybe NC-17ish
Pairings: Merlin/Arthur
Word Count: ~7800
Warnings: Modern AU and perhaps ridiculous amounts of fluff.
Summary: The boys are in high school and the winter dance is coming up. Arthur thinks he should school Merlin in the fine art of the waltz and Merlin just wants to make it through it all without succumbing to teenage angst, after school detention and Christmas dinner at the Pendragons.
Author's Notes: I took your prompt; 'notes/letters' and kind of rolled with that. I'm not sure if this is what you wanted exactly but I really hope you enjoy it all the same :)
Disclaimer: The characters depicted herein belong to Shine and BBC. I make no profit from this endeavor.
'Do you think she knows she looks like a chicken in that fluffy jumper? What is that?'
Merlin looked down at the note Arthur tossed over his shoulder. Arthur was sat just behind him and it made for an awful, awful time on Merlin's end since Arthur was forever writing him notes and tapping him on the shoulder asking, 'What's that? What'd she say?' and 'Well, that makes no sense, Merlin. She ought to know that.' whenever Merlin would answer. He wasn't quite sure if Arthur had some sort of comprehension problem or if he was simply that thick. And annoying.
'What sort of chickens are you cavorting with that they wear fluffy jumpers?' Merlin pretended to stretch and let the note drop down onto Arthur's desk behind him.
Merlin heard the faint sound of Arthur's snort and then the scratching of his pencil as he wrote a reply.
'The Muppet sort. Obviously.'
Merlin rolled his eyes at Arthur's response as he wrote down his own. 'I still don't understand the fluffy jumpers. Not even the Muppet chickens on the show wore jumpers. There's something off with you.'
'Well my Muppet chickens happen to be rabid Lord of the Flies type Muppet chickens that have obviously started killing the other Muppets on Muppet Island and have made fluffy jumpers out of their fluffy Muppet skins as a sort of macabre display of victory. Really, Merlin, it's like you're intentionally dim.'
Merlin laughed out right at that and sure enough Mrs. Carson was on him in a flash.
"Merlin Emrys, I doubt Hemingway would appreciate you laughing at a discussion of his suicide."
"Oh I doubt that, Mrs. Carson," Arthur piped up. "Wasn't he pissed most of the time anyway? I'd suspect in that state he'd find all sorts of inappropriate things quite hilarious actually."
"I'm not even going to grace that with a response, Mr. Pendragon. Instead I suggest you escort Mr. Emrys to the Headmaster's office so the two of you may share your wit and insight with him. I'm sure he'll find it fascinating."
"No doubt he will, Mrs. C." Merlin groaned as Arthur got up out of his desk, smiled quite charmingly at Mrs. Carson and yanked on his arm. "Off we go, Merlin, Headmaster Ferrington awaits."
"With bated breath, I'm sure," Mrs. Carson said wryly as she watched Arthur march Merlin out the door.
"Arthur," Merlin hissed once the door closed behind them and they were alone in the hallway. "If I'm stuck in detention because of you I'm never speaking to you again. And I mean it this time."
Arthur just laughed and slung an arm around Merlin's neck. "Of course you do, Merlin. You always mean it. You're a very sincere sort, y'know."
Merlin elbowed Arthur in the side and he let out a pained groan. Arthur was utterly impossible, a truly horrible friend that was forever getting them both into trouble and one of these days Merlin really, truly, was going to stick to his threats. Really.
Arthur's arm dropped off of Merlin's shoulder so he could rub at his ribs where Merlin had elbowed him.
"You know I am sorry, Merlin. I didn't mean for you to get into trouble."
And at that Merlin stopped walking because Arthur had stopped and there they were stood in the middle of the empty hallway staring at each other, Arthur with a stricken puppy dog look on his face and Merlin fighting hard to keep a look of exasperation on his own.
Arthur reached out and tugged at Merlin's sleeve. "Don't be mad."
Merlin continued to glare. He could do this. He really, honestly could.
Arthur's eyes grew bigger and even more pathetic.
Well. Maybe.
"Merlin," Arthur practically whined. "I said, don't be mad."
Merlin bit his lower lip and scrunched up his face a bit, maybe that would make him look like he was still arsed off and not trying desperately to keep the fond look off of it and keep his hand from shoving at Arthur's ridiculously adorable face.
"I hate it when you're mad at me. It gives me a stomachache. You don't want to make me ill now do you, Merlin?"
"Oh good god, do shut up, Arthur," Merlin huffed as he turned on his heels and continued walking toward the Headmaster's office. "You're like a small, crabby child sometimes."
"Ha!" Arthur shouted at Merlin's back before jogging to catch up with him.
"Don't be a smug bastard," Merlin warned.
Arthur only laughed and threw his arm back around Merlin's neck. Merlin stumbled a bit as Arthur jostled him about.
"Ack. I knew you loved me. Never doubted it for a minute. I'm just that charming."
Merlin knew Arthur was joking about and he rolled his eyes accordingly while giving Arthur another good shove, but the sorry fact of it all was that it was entirely true.
Merlin did love Arthur. In a truly desperate and painfully pathetic way.
Fucking charming tosser.
Merlin was scared out of his wits and nearly threw his laptop at Arthur when he tumbled through Merlin's open bedroom window.
"Fucking hell, Arthur, warn a guy when you're about to fall through his window and scare the fucking piss out of him, a'right?"
"I didn't fall through your window, I merely entered your bedroom less than gracefully. There's a difference."
"Hardly," Merlin muttered.
"And. And," Arthur said over Merlin's muttering and completely ignoring him, "if I had known you've apparently turned into an overly dramatic girl so easily frightened out of her knickers I would've announced my presence and given proper warning, but seeing as how I was operating under the assumption you were my mate, Merlin and not a crying toddler, I chose not to."
"Stop talking, Arthur," Merlin said as he went back to the history paper he was trying to finish up.
"Whatcha doing?" Arthur asked, deciding, apparently, to ignore the stop talking option as he crawled into bed next to Merlin. "Oh, is that porn? Are you writing porny bits?"
"I'm not writing porn," Merlin said as he tried to shove Arthur off of him when he leaned in to look at Merlin's computer screen. "I'm writing my history paper that's due tomorrow. Like you should be doing."
Arthur just hummed and kept leaning over Merlin in an attempt to read his computer screen.
"Have you even started your paper, Arthur?"
"No, not as such."
"It's due tomorrow."
"There is that, yes."
"Arthur."
"What? It's taken care of."
"Really? So where is your paper then? The paper you just said you haven't started, as such."
Arthur tapped Merlin's computer screen. "It's all in there. I'm sure of it."
"What, are there little fairies in my laptop that are writing it for you then?"
"Yes, exactly that, Merlin. Your little laptop fairies do all my homework for me. Well done, you, sussing that one out."
Merlin just gave Arthur a look and went back to typing.
Arthur huffed and reached over to Merlin's nightstand to pick up the book he was reading. He settled back next to Merlin, his back against the headboard as he pretended to read. Merlin kept typing but he knew his peace and quiet wouldn't last for long. He did have to give Arthur credit though, he was quiet for an entire ten minutes before he set the book down.
"Merlin."
"Hm?" Merlin tried to keep typing.
"Merrrlin."
"I said, hm, do you need a written invitation to proceed?"
"Rude," Arthur said as he shut Merlin's book up, forgetting entirely to put his bookmark back in. Moron. J"When are you going to finish your paper so you can help me with mine?"
"I don't know who you've been speaking to but I'm going to sleep when I'm done with mine. It's after eleven."
"You know how I hate typing. I know what I want to say I just need you to type it for me, yeah?"
"You know exactly what you want to say for an eight page paper?"
"Yep."
"Prove it."
"Type it."
"Fine. If you can rattle off an eight page paper I'll type it."
Merlin didn't actually doubt Arthur's claim of having it all in his head, he'd typed countless pages of words dictated by Arthur seemingly off the top of his head. Arthur was a bit of a Rainman if Merlin were to be honest. He was quite brilliant about the most random shit, probably including the Napoleonic Wars which is what their papers were supposed to be about. The problem with Arthur wasn't his intellect, it was his motivation mixed up with his dyslexia. Arthur could do it, type his own paper, if he actually had a mind to do it and could concentrate for longer than three minute segments but he just didn't have it in him to do it, and, well, Merlin didn't have it in him not to type the papers for Arthur so really they were both idiots now weren't they? But he just liked egging Arthur on because he was adorable when he was all determined to prove Merlin wrong.
Also maybe just the teeny tiniest bit really fucking hot when he'd rattle off a top mark paper at the drop of a hat. Stupid, sexy smart Arthur.
Merlin finished up his paper and then spent the next hour typing out the ten page, overachieving wanker, paper that Arthur dictated to him. When they were done Arthur offered to look over Merlin's paper for him seeing as how it was bound to be inferior to his own. Merlin scowled and threw a book at Arthur's head which he ducked on his way to tackle hugging Merlin.
"You know I'd be lost without you, yeah?" Arthur asked as he practically sat on Merlin's lap and squeezed the life out of him.
"You have a funny way of showing it, ass."
Arthur just snorted and hugged him tighter and Merlin did the same. He also stopped himself from saying that he'd be utterly lost without Arthur as well, only in an entirely different way. He both loved and loathed Arthur's violent outbursts of affection because he knew Arthur never ever meant them in the way Merlin hoped he meant them but that fact didn't make them any less lovely in return.
Arthur sort of collapsed on Merlin, his cheek smashed against Merlin's shoulder. "Can I stay tonight?" Arthur muttered.
"Your dad and Morgana at it again?"
"Oh my god, yes. Morgana's shouts can be heard from space and dad's are just as bad. I'm sure they've shouted themselves out by now but it's always so much nicer here. I'll be so glad when winter break is over and Morgana is back at university. Blessed, blessed peace."
Merlin smiled. "You miss her, don't pretend like you don't."
Arthur made a snuffling sort of snorting noise then shrugged his shoulders and admitted it. "Yeah, I do. I love that harpy, what can I say? I just wish her and dad had a force field around them or something when they start going at it. They're going to give me an ulcer."
"I thought I was the one giving you an ulcer. You told me in chem lab just two days ago, 'Merlin, your scientifically handicapped mind is going to give me an ulcer. And also probably burn down the chem lab.'"
"I'm surprised you haven't yet blown up something. You get a maniacal look in your eyes when you light up a Bunsen burner. It's creepy. And not at all right."
"That's why you're there to make sure I don't singe off my eyebrows."
"Or drink the pretty pink stuff in the test tubes."
"I only said it looked yummy, I wasn't actually going to drink it."
Arthur looked up at Merlin, his left eyebrow cocked. "One never knows with you, Merlin. One never knows."
Arthur rolled off the bed and knelt down to pull the sleeping bag that Merlin always kept stashed for him out from underneath the bed. Merlin tossed him a pillow.
"Do you need pyjamas?"
"Nah. I'll just sleep in my lacy knickers and give you a thrill."
"If you're actually wearing lacy knickers I'd be more worried than thrilled."
"Oh, wouldn't you just love a cross-dressing mate. Don't lie. It's a dream of yours. I promise they're pink and very frilly," Arthur added as if that sweetened the deal.
"Go to bed, Arthur," Merlin said as he yawned and shimmied himself under the sheets.
"Don't switch off the lights yet," Arthur said as he started to undo his belt. "You don't want to miss the frilly knickers."
Merlin snorted and turned off the light. "You've already traumatized me enough." He laughed when Arthur's jeans hit him in the face along with a muttered, 'spoilsport,' from Arthur.
'Are you taking anyone to the winter dance?'
Merlin looked down at the notebook Arthur had pushed across the table. They were in the library suffering through their after school detention, courtesy of Arthur and his jumper wearing Muppet chickens. He scowled at Arthur and tried to push the notebook back across the table. If they were caught it would just mean more detention surely. Mrs. Mallors, the detention monitor, wasn't called the Dragon Lady for nothing. Arthur just scowled back at him and straight armed the notebook right back to him. Merlin sighed and scribbled a quick reply.
'Freya.'
Merlin watched Arthur carefully when he passed the notebook back. He'd only asked Freya out of desperation. He knew Arthur would ask Gwen or Viv and despite the fact that watching Arthur dance with someone else would be torture he couldn't not go to the dance either. Freya, thankfully, knew about his pathetic crush and was more than happy to go as friends although he was hoping Arthur wouldn't find that bit out. So Merlin watched as Arthur pulled the notebook over to read it. Merlin could tell the moment his eyes landed on the single word because he instantly frowned and it was like he deflated entirely, his shoulders dropped and everything. Merlin couldn't understand it, there was nothing wrong with Freya.
"Really?" Arthur whispered out loud.
"Shh, shut up. We'll get in trouble," Merlin hissed back.
Arthur seemed not to hear him. "I didn't even know you liked her. Why didn't I know that?"
Merlin saw the Dragon Lady looking over at them and he snapped at Arthur, "For godsake, write it down or we'll be here for the rest of the month."
Arthur made a face at Merlin but did as he was told and started scribbling down a note.
'Why didn't you tell me you liked Freya?'
'I wasn't aware I had to tell you everything.'
'Well. You do.'
'Fine. I like Freya.'
'Thanks for the advance notice, twat.'
'What does it matter who I take?'
For some reason that question seemed to stump Arthur because he just stared down at the notebook like it was about to jump up at him and his concentrated glare was the only thing keeping it grounded to the table. Merlin watched as he bit his lower lip, a telltale sign he was confused or unsure about something, which only made Merlin more confused as well. It wasn't rocket science, his question. Why the hell was it taking him so long to figure out what to write back? Arthur's forehead crinkled up before he finally wrote down his reply.
'It doesn't, I guess.'
Oh, now that just arsed Merlin off. He hated when Arthur tried to get out of answering by saying fuck all.
'Of course it does. Answer for real this time.'
Merlin underlined the 'for real' bit about seven times which only made Arthur roll his eyes when he read it but he started writing anyway.
'Dunno. Guess I was just surprised that I didn't know you were going to ask her.'
Merlin read the note and was about to write in the notebook when Arthur suddenly leaned across the table and grabbed it back. He hunched over it and wrote some more.
'I don't like not knowing stuff about you. You know everything about me. Not fair, Merlin.'
'That's because you talk constantly and find yourself unnecessarily interesting. How could I not know everything about you?'
'Har har. I'm laughing on the inside.'
Merlin snorted and the Dragon Lady called out his name. Oh fucking buggery.
"Mr. Emrys, do you have something you need to get off your chest?"
"No, ma'am. Just a sneeze. Very sorry." Merlin was sure not to look at Arthur who had his hand over his mouth trying not to laugh. Asshat.
"Do be quiet from now on, and get back to work."
"Yes, ma'am."
'You fucktard. Stop getting me in trouble!!'
Arthur seemed to give up on the notes after that and concentrated on doodling all over the notebook instead. Merlin was tempted to remind him of their Lit. paper that was due in three days but figured not to bother since Arthur would never do it so far in advance of the due date. Merlin went back to his work but it wasn't long before the edge of the notebook was jabbing at his arm.
'Sorry.'
Merlin shrugged and wrote down, 'It's all right. I'm used to it.'
Arthur smiled at him then wrote some more. 'So, you're taking Freya then?'
'Yeah. Are you going to ask Gwen or Viv?'
'Probably Viv. Gwen's been hanging out with Morgana now that she's back for winter holidays and I think M's got her on an anti-penis phase.'
Merlin bit his lip to keep from laughing. 'What happened to Leon?'
'He's penis non grata apparently.'
'What could Leon, of all people, possibly do to arse M off?'
'Dunno. That's like saying a puppy arsed you off, yeah? WTF?'
'Oh, the mystery that is Morgana.'
'More like the migraine that is Morgana, but it was nice of you to make her evil sound so sparkly.'
'Morgana's super sparkly, what the hell are you on about? She wears glittery lip gloss and has shiny hair and would probably ride a unicorn if there were such things.'
'WHAT? THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS UNICORNS?? Way to break my HEART, Merlin.'
'Well obviously I meant such things as unicorn RIDES because there are totally such things as unicorns. We just can't ride them is all.'
'Our arses aren't magical enough to ride unicorns.'
'They need to be blessed by pixies beforehand and those fuckers are hard. to. catch.'
Arthur laughed out loud at that, a great snorting laugh, and before Mrs. Mallors could even say his name he turned around and waved at her. "Yes, I'll be seeing your lovely face tomorrow won't I, Mrs. M? I can't wait! You're like a double rainbow at the end of a long day."
Mrs. Mallors didn't say a thing, only lifted up four fingers letting Arthur know he wasn't getting off with only tomorrow's detention.
"Aw, bugger," he muttered under his breath as he slumped down in his chair and proceeded to pout.
Merlin did Arthur's calculus homework for him to make up for the detention.
And not at all for the brilliant smile, one-arm hug and the, 'thanks, mate!' he got when he handed it over on their way home.
Merlin spent the next week putting up with Arthur's complaints about detention and how Merlin should probably do all his homework for him since he as the one that made Arthur laugh in the first place. Arthur was taking one for the team, dammit. Merlin reminded him there were only two of them and that hardly constituted a team. Arthur said fine and amended it to taking one for the duo consisting of one awesome superstar (Arthur) and one pedantic wanker (Merlin). Arthur was surprised to find that tactic didn't get his homework done for him either.
Merlin also had to suffer through an early Christmas dinner at Arthur's house since Morgana was planning on being at Leon's on the day itself. Merlin had only gone after excessive begging and whining from Arthur that he'd surely die if Merlin wasn't there to deflect all the evil coming from Morgana and the thinly veiled disappointment coming from his father. Merlin knew Arthur liked to overreact, he was nothing if not dramatic, and that really Morgana was just a first rate teaser-slash-smartarse and Uther was simply an overly interested father. He wanted to know everything Arthur did and did he have a good time doing it and how was school and what about Vivian and the dance until Arthur would yell in dramatic fashion, "You're tearing me apart!!" and then throw himself off his chair. Uther would only huff and mumble something about getting Arthur back on Ritalin.
The evening started off just as embarrassing as all of Merlin's nightmares had told him it would be.
"Say, Merlin," Arthur said, loudly, the moment they were all seated at the table. "Leon's penis is now grata, isn't that great news for Leon and his penis?"
Merlin shook his head and groaned as Leon spit out his water, Morgana glared and Uther mouthed, "penis?" to the table at large in a truly disturbing display of one the plethora of words Merlin wanted never to hear Uther Pendragon say.
"I just thought you'd like to know why he's here since last we spoke of the lovely Leon I had informed you that Morgana had declared war on him and his junk."
Merlin cut his ham into tiny pieces and said, "Thank you, Arthur," as politely and evenly as he could. "I'm now informed and we can move on."
Arthur smiled at him. "We should toast Leon and his penis first, it would fit right in with our festive mood."
"Oh my god, Arthur. Stop talking about my penis," Leon spluttered, his face as red as a tomato.
"I can't help it," Arthur shrugged. "It's fantastic news. I'm sure the baby Jesus is happy to hear it."
Merlin watched as Morgana went from her angry face to her, oh fucking shit, I'm going to laugh face. She scrunched it up in an effort not to laugh as she reached over and rubbed Leon's back. "There, there," she managed to get out.
Uther finally broke into the conversation. "Arthur, I feel as if the subject of Leon's penis is not entirely appropriate for the Christmas table. Are you planning on buying Vivian flowers for the dance this Friday?"
And with that brilliant segue Christmas dinner at the Pendragons carried on.
Later, after even more inappropriate table talk from Arthur, they were thankfully free of said table and were up in Arthur's room.
"See, that wasn't so bad," Arthur said from his bed. Merlin had sat down at Arthur's desk and instantly turned down the volume on his computer before waking it up. Arthur was fond of leaving porn sites on and turning his volume all the way up so when Merlin would get on he'd be greeted with screams and grunts and the slapping sound of two, three, or six, people going at it in hardcore fashion. This time it was two women.
"Lookit those, Merlin," Arthur said. "The one on the right, have you ever seen fake ones like that? They look like they could pop at any minute. Really, don't you think?"
"I think that's probably enough sexy talk for one Christmas. Let's save some for next year, yeah?"
"Whatever. But I think you're missing out."
Merlin tuned out Arthur, who continued to talk about why discussing some porn star's fake boobs was, 'doing the lord's work and wasn't that what Christmas was all about?' while he checked his and Arthur's Facebook pages. Gwaine had left a message on Arthur's wall about Elena's awesome face but nearly every word was spelled wrong so Merlin suspected he was probably a bit drunk because he also ended the message with, 'MONKEYS ARE HILARIOUS!!' in all caps. Freya had sent Merlin a message asking him whether or not he'd manned up already and asked Arthur to the dance. Merlin deleted the message instantly and gave a quick look over his shoulder to see if Arthur was paying attention, thankfully he was on his phone texting someone and still muttering about fake boobs.
Merlin had just about had it with Freya. She was constantly on him about his big stupid mancrush on Arthur. And the worst thing was she was Freya. She wasn't doing it to be a nag or to make his life hell she was genuinely concerned about it and wanted Merlin to fess up for his own good. Merlin also secretly suspected that she wanted to plan their gay wedding, she kept mentioning doves for no specific reason Merlin could suss out. Her latest theory that Merlin and Arthur were Meant To Be was the fact that apparently Viv complained to Freya that Arthur had been less than enthusiastic when he asked her to the dance. He'd been all, so let's go, yeah? sort of like she was his last resort. Freya told him Viv'd said no at first because she thought Arthur really didn't want to go with her at all but in a moment of unexpected perception on Arthur's part he'd picked up on the reason for her 'no' and asked instead if they couldn't maybe just go as friends.
Merlin didn't quite know what to make of that. He knew Arthur wasn't serious about anybody, he was never serious about anybody. He usually alternated between taking either Gwen or Viv out to a movie or whatever, although half the time he'd drag Merlin along because it was a movie they had both talked about wanting to see and Merlin was the only one that would humor Arthur and talk back to the movie with him. Gwen or Viv would merely sit on Arthur's other side and suffer through it; Viv usually texting her friends and Gwen texting Lance who was off at university this year. Arthur usually just smiled fondly at Gwen when she'd do that because she was very empathic about the fact that she and Lance had broken up before he left for school because long distance relationships never work out but that didn't stop her from talking about him non-stop and from them calling, texting and emailing each other nearly constantly. Merlin suspected that Arthur just asked Gwen out so no one else would. Arthur was a bit of a closet romantic and knew Gwen and Lance would get back together eventually. In fact, one night while the three of them ate burgers after a movie Arthur had rattled off a list he'd compiled of baby names for Gwen and Lance's future children. Gwen had given Arthur several withering looks and again proclaimed her independence and emotional maturity in letting an impossible relationship go all the while cooing over the names Max and Ilsa (which had actually been Maximilian after Arthur's first dog and Ilsa after Arthur's Swedish nanny that he'd had wanking fantasies about until the age of fifteen, thankfully he'd refrained from telling those facts to Gwen).
"Say, Merlin," Arthur's voice made Merlin jump, he'd been in his own little world of teenage angst. "Do you even know how to dance, or are you going to trod all over Freya's feet?"
"I know how to dance," Merlin said indignantly. He didn't.
"Are you sure? Cos you've got really big feet, and they're uncommonly fat for someone so skinny."
"I haven't got fat feet! How can you even have fat feet?"
"Okay, fine, wide. You've got wiiiide feet, Merlin."
"That's not any better!"
"Whatever," Arthur said as he crawled off the end of his bed and stood in front of Merlin. "Our focus here should be your dancing skills and Freya's unfortunate feet."
"I told you I can dance."
"You can flail, a bit like a Muppet, but I wouldn't consider it dancing."
"When have you seen me flail-dance?"
"Lance's graduation party last year. You slapped Gwaine in the face during one of your more enthusiastic displays of dancing. He had a red mark and everything."
"I do not recall this incident."
"Because you were drunk and talking about monkeys."
"Ha! That's where you're wrong. Gwaine is the monkey freak when he's drunk, not me. Just look at your Facebook," Merlin waved his hand at Arthur's computer. "Proof!"
"You both talk about monkeys, although your drunken rants usually branch off into other weird and disturbing places. Gwaine mainly just sticks to monkeys and how hilarious they are."
Merlin's face turned into a pout, Arthur was probably right, although he'd never admit it. While he sat and glared at him Arthur reached past him to get at his computer and pull up his music files.
"Seriously, Merlin," Arthur said as he looked down at him. "Do you know how to properly dance?"
"No, not as such."
The corner of Arthur's mouth turned up at Merlin's use of his usual response to, 'are you done with your homework?' questions.
"Come on then," Arthur said as he grabbed Merlin's hand and yanked him up. "Let me show you."
"Like I can trust you to show me how to properly dance. You'll teach me the African Anteater Ritual or something like that."
"This isn't an 80s teen comedy, Merlin, no matter how much you love Molly Ringwald."
"She's the source of my intense love for all things ginger."
"Yes, this is all common knowledge, Merlin. You're weird. Now get up and let me show you how to dance."
"Promise you won't teach me something stupid?"
"Of course I promise, this is serious stuff," Arthur's face itself was suddenly serious. Far more serious than the moment called for at any rate. "You like Freya, right? You should know how to dance so you have a perfect night. Doesn't everyone want to have one perfect dance with the person they like?"
Arthur's question made something drop in Merlin's stomach. He looked up at Arthur's face and saw the slight flush working its way up his neck and the oddly intent shine in his eyes.
"Yes," Merlin nearly shouted, then realized how he sounded and continued in a more normal tone of voice. "Um. Yeah. They do. I mean, yes, I think everyone wants that. Yeah."
Merlin might have been mistaken but he thought he noticed Arthur letting out a relieved puff of air before he pulled himself together again.
"Honestly, Merlin, you needn't shout at me." He gave Merlin a cocky half grin and tugged him by the hand to the middle of his room. Merlin laughed and stumbled after him.
"Stand here," Arthur ordered as he walked back over to his computer. "We need appropriate music."
Merlin laughed again when Celine Dion started singing out from Arthur's computer. "You're such an asshole." Merlin couldn't hide his grin when he saw Arthur smiling proudly. "And why do you even have Celine Dion on your computer in the first place? That says a lot about you, Arthur."
"I've been saving it for exactly this moment." Arthur grinned at Merlin as he stood himself in front of him. "This has been a dream of mine, don't you know?"
Merlin rolled his eyes at Arthur but didn't say a word as he arranged their limbs into proper dancing order. He even got his arms smacked when he didn't hold them properly. Arthur told him not to have noodle arms for christsake, Merlin.
"Nobody puts Baby in the corner, right, Arthur?"
"Oh, shut it."
Merlin tried not to laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation; Arthur saying he'd be the girl and for the love of fuck treat him like a lady, a'right? and painstakingly counting out their steps and showing Merlin just how to go about a proper waltz.
"Arthur," Merlin whined. "We're not being presented to the Queen, why do I need to learn how to waltz?"
"Shut up and dance."
"Oh, that would be a good movie, wouldn't it?"
"Merlin!"
Merlin pretended like he didn't see the corner of Arthur's mouth turn up in a grin.
He also managed not to be an utter disaster and only stepped on Arthur's feet a few times.
"You're not a complete disaster like I had thought you'd be," Arthur confessed after Merlin pulled off a practically mistake free and very nearly graceful turn about the room.
"Don't act surprised. I've got rhythm."
Arthur threw his head back and laughed and Merlin was reminded again, as he held Arthur's hand in his and stared at his stupidly gorgeous face, that there really was only Arthur for him. There was no hope for him, really, it would always be Arthur. Always.
Arthur wrapped his arms around him just then and dipped Merlin, still laughing, and Merlin shouted out as he grabbed at Arthur's arms to make sure he didn't end up on his ass but he joined in with Arthur's laughter anyway. They were both nearly falling over each other as Arthur managed to haul Merlin upright, their arms wrapped around each other and their faces inches apart. The laughter quieted and then stopped all together as they stared at each other. Arthur smiled fondly at Merlin before hugging him even closer and pressing his cheek against Merlin's as he started to sway them from side to side. Merlin kept his arms latched tight around Arthur's waist and swayed with him. He dropped his forehead to Arthur's shoulder and closed his eyes against the thumping of his heart and the shivers running down his spine. The moment was too perfect and Merlin was going to hold onto it for as long as Arthur let him. He could feel Arthur's open palm burning into his back, right between his shoulder blades where Arthur had centered it, almost like he wanted to keep Merlin as close as possible.
"You'll want to do this too. On Friday night," Arthur said, his voice nearly a whisper and his breath ruffling Merlin's hair. "You'll hold Freya close, just like this, and it'll be perfect."
Merlin wanted to say, no, no it won't. It would never be as perfect as it is right now and didn't Arthur see that? Instead he tightened his hold on Arthur, curled his fingers into the soft cotton of Arthur's button down and held on like his life depended on it. And it felt like it did, in that moment, like he needed to grab all he could get and fill himself full because this was all he'd ever have of Arthur. He felt Arthur's arms around his shoulders do the same thing, and it took all the breath out of him.
"Arthur," he managed to get out on a low, quiet breath. He didn't know what else to say but he had to say Arthur's name, just to hear the way it sounded on his lips when they were so close to Arthur.
He heard Arthur make a sound, something caught halfway between a word and a choking breath, and then his hand was on the back of Merlin's neck. Warm and sure and Merlin looked up at him just as he leaned in and pressed his lips to Merlin's. The shock of the contact made them both push back from one another until they stood a foot or so apart, staring at each other, flushed and a bit wild-eyed.
"Don't go to the dance with Freya," Arthur said suddenly. Loudly. "I don't want you to."
Merlin swallowed, blinked, felt his hands curl into fists at his sides because they'd suddenly gone numb and he didn't know what to do with them.
"Please, Merlin."
"What?"
"Please don't go with her."
"Why?"
Merlin seemed to only be capable of one word responses and even then he wasn't quite sure what he was actually saying.
"Why? What do you mean, why? Because I don't want you to go with her, that's why."
Arthur seemed just as incoherent as Merlin, apparently.
"That's not a proper reason."
Oh my god, why was he nearly shouting at Arthur?
"Jesus. Fine. Be that way," Arthur shouted back. "The real reason why? I'm a selfish git and I don't want you to be with her all flailing around and dancing like a drunken monkey and touching her and being your stupid Merlin self because I love you and you should go with me. There. That's my proper reason."
"No you don't!"
Arthur looked confused as hell and Merlin didn't blame him.
"No I don't what?"
"You don't love me." Merlin looked down and saw he was pointing at Arthur. Good god, why was he doing that?
"Yes I do!"
"No you don't!"
"Fucking buggering hell. Why is this our conversation right now?" Arthur asked in frustration as he ran his hand through his hair.
"Because you just don't go around telling me you love me when you've never given me even the tiniest little hint that you might."
"A hint? God, Merlin, I could punch you in the face and you wouldn't notice, how in the hell would you notice a hint?"
"Oh, I think I'd notice all right."
"Really? Really, Merlin? So you'd notice that I spend like 99% of my waking life with you and practically 50% of my sleeping time too. Do you really think I need to sleep at your place? That I couldn't just tell Morgana and my dad to shut it and they would? They're not that dedicated to their arguments, you know. They're just bored most of the time. No. I do it cos I want to be near you. Like I am, all the time. I take you on dates with me. Fuck, Merlin. Do I need to sit on you to get you to see that?"
"Yeah. Well. If I'm so stupid then clearly you're just as stupid," Merlin blurted out. "I could basically say all of that, except in reverse, since you obviously haven't noticed I kinda love you too so I suppose neither one of us is likely to get the Sherlock award, now are we?"
Arthur opened his mouth to say something but closed it instead and just smiled at Merlin in that way he had that said; you're really very, very stupid, aren't you Merlin? It was a cocky, know-it-all sort of smile and it was one of Merlin's favorites.
"I think we should both just shut the fuck up and kiss, don't you?" Arthur asked.
Merlin shrugged and decided to pay Arthur back for his Stupid Merlin smile.
"I don't know. Do you think you can handle all of this?" he asked as he waved his hand up and down his side.
He tried to keep a straight face but Arthur snorted and all he could see was his brilliant smile as he threw himself at Merlin and tackled him onto his bed. Merlin laughed and wrapped his arms around Arthur as he fell backwards.
"Why do I even like you?" Arthur asked, his grin still wide and his nose pressed against Merlin's. "You're the biggest berk I know."
"That's my appeal, just like your appeal is that you're the world's biggest douchebag."
"It's like we were meant to be." Arthur sighed dreamily and Merlin gave him a good smack for it. He also figured his best bet at shutting Arthur up was to kiss him.
Arthur apparently agreed because once Merlin's lips touched his he stopped his theatrics and grabbed at Merlin's hips as he kissed him back, sort of desperate and hurried like Merlin might disappear on him. Merlin wrapped his arms and legs around Arthur, every limb he could use to hold him down against him, the weight of Arthur on top of him heavy and reassuring and like nothing Merlin could have imagined it would be. Arthur made a pleased sort of humming noise when Merlin wrapped himself around him. The hum vibrated over Merlin's lips and he opened up even more to Arthur's kiss. When Arthur's tongue made a tentative sweep of his mouth he thought he should laugh at it all, him here with Arthur's tongue in his mouth, how the hell did that happen? But laughing was the furthest thing from his mind because Arthur was using his knees to push himself closer to Merlin and Merlin couldn't stop his hips from pushing up to meet him. He was pretty sure it was going to be impossible to touch Arthur as much as he wanted. There was no way he'd ever be close enough, held tightly enough to satisfy Merlin's need for him. His absolute want.
That was the thing, Merlin had only imagined before how much he wanted Arthur. He thought that empty aching want was nearly unbearable when he didn't have Arthur in his arms, but now that he was there it felt a thousand times more unbearable. Merlin was shaking with it and he dug his heels into the backs of Arthur's thighs to anchor himself to him, both their hips pushing and rolling against each other.
"Shit. Oh god, Merlin," Arthur's mouth pressing sloppy wet words and kisses against Merlin's neck.
Merlin clenched at Arthur's shirt at the small of his back as he slid his other hand into the back pocket of Arthur's jeans. His hand moved with the rise and fall of Arthur's hips, the curve of Arthur's ass right there beneath his fingertips, perfect and his, and the thought made him even harder than before. The heat was prickling up and down his spine and desire lay heavy in the pit of his stomach. He could feel Arthur as well, hard as he was, and nearly breathless too. They were fumbling and pushing at each other in a ridiculous tangle and Merlin knew it wasn't near perfect but they had to do it. They had to get this first burst of heat and desperation out of them so they could both settle and stop shaking and maybe carry on with all the rest. They just needed to come, hard and fast, and feel that release of everything.
Arthur's hand moved between them and brushed against Merlin's cock. He gasped and felt his face heat up as he begged Arthur, please, please, more. Arthur's fingers curled around him and even through his jeans he could feel the heat of Arthur's palm burning into him. His hips jerked up and Arthur's hand started stroking.
"Me too," Arthur breathed. "I want...me too. Your hands, fuck."
Merlin shook his head, yes, oh god, yes and scrambled to get his hand between them, to get it on Arthur, as he pressed quick hurried kisses along Arthur's jaw. And that first contact, that first touch when he knew he held Arthur in his hand at the same time he had Arthur wrapped around him, was more intense than Merlin could get a handle on. He shut his eyes against the rush as he came with a sudden, jarring thrust up into Arthur's hand. It was quick and embarrassing and he was already mumbling, 'sorry, sorry, sorry's against Arthur's mouth when he felt Arthur still suddenly before a shudder moved through his body.
They didn't move right away, Arthur stayed heavy and solid on top of him as they waited for their breathing to slow and the lethargy that had suddenly taken them over to pass. Merlin felt heavy too, so heavy that he would sink down into Arthur's bed and disappear. And he didn't care. He didn't want to move anyway. Arthur was caught between his thighs and his lips were pressed to the skin behind Merlin's right ear. It was perfect, why would he ever want to move?
Arthur groaned and shifted above him. Merlin didn't move his legs though, he wasn't near ready to let him go. Arthur started to laugh right then, a low lazy laugh that tickled Merlin's ear. Merlin shifted his hips and smiled.
"You're laughing cos we still have each other's dicks in our hands, yeah?"
"Maybe." Arthur laughed more.
"You're such an immature twat, Arthur, really."
"Shut up. This is my afterglow, deal with it."
Merlin's grin widened and he pulled his hand out of Arthur's back pocket so he could give his ass a good slap.
"Mm. I like that," Arthur muttered.
"You would."
Merlin could feel Arthur's smile against the side of his neck and he kind of thought that was were it should always be. Arthur must have agreed because he moved his hand to the other side of Merlin's neck and held it gently, almost tentatively in a way that made Merlin's heart ache. Arthur's thumb brushed slowly back and forth over the curve of his jaw and Merlin threaded his fingers into Arthur's hair and wrapped his other arm around Arthur's shoulders and hugged him, as tightly as he could. Arthur's, 'I really do love you, Merlin' was so quiet that he wouldn't have even heard it if Arthur's lips hadn't been so close.
"You're pretty much the best thing there is, Arthur Pendragon," Merlin whispered back. "But don't let that go to your head."
Arthur pulled back slightly so he could look down into Merlin's face. "Does this mean you're dumping Freya and going to the dance with me?"
"You sound far too happy about the dumping Freya bit. Poor girl."
"Whatever. I have it on good authority that you going to the dance with me makes the baby Jesus very very happy."
"You keep saying shit like that like you and the baby Jesus are BFFs. I worry about you, Arthur."
"Worry all you want. All I know is that we got all of our super special feelings sorted out, you'll be doing the African Anteater Ritual with me at the dance and I had my hand on your dick just now. It's a Christmas miracle," Arthur said happily.
Merlin rolled his eyes at Arthur's stupidly happy grin. "I dunno, Arthur, maybe your dad was right. I think there should maybe be some Ritalin in your future."
Arthur just ignored him and kept on smiling.
"A Christmas miracle, Merlin!"
And Merlin gave up and kissed him because, really? Merlin kind of agreed.
~End
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