Happy Merlin Holidays, canningtonclose! [1/2]

[merlin-hols.livejournal.com]

Title: Tear Down These Walls
Recipient: canningtonclose
Author: reiya_wakayama
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: Arthur Pendragon/Merlin, Balinor/Hunith (past), Gaius/Alice (past), Lancelot/Gwen, Percival/Elyan, Leon/Morgana, Gwaine/Elena
Word Count: 14,255
Warnings: Historical/Future AU, D/s society, forced pairing, soldiers, domestic, war/terrorism, revolution, spies, undercover mission, romance, fluff, cuddling, kissing, friends to lovers, soul mates.
Summary: Over three hundred years have passed since the rise of the British Empire, but outside forces seek to topple it. When two soldiers are ordered to infiltrate the main organization and kill the leader, will they do as ordered or find a life they never knew existed outside the walls that had been built hundreds of years before?
Author's Notes: This is my gift for the lovely canningtonclose for the merlin_holidays gift exchange. She gave me some lovely pics and a few ideas to work with and I…well, went a little wild with it. I hope you enjoy this, dear. I tried to incorporate all the things you asked for, but I wasn’t able to get all. Still hope you enjoy it.
Thanks to W, S, G, and H for helping me through a few problems and cheering me on. I wouldn’t have finished this without your help. As well as C for her wonderful betaing skills.
[A/N 2: This is my first time doing historical fiction so it may be a little iffy historical accuracy wise, but in my defense, I am rewriting history as we know it for my dear giftee, a little leeway is in order here. XD]
Disclaimer: The characters depicted herein belong to Shine and BBC. I make no profit from this endeavor.


xXx

Prologue

It is in the late 18th century when the British Colonies in the newly discovered Americas declare independence from their tyrannical mother country. England, not wanting to lose such a resource-rich land, proclaims the colonies' Declaration of Independence null and that they will never be independent from England. Soon both sides start drawing up plans for war, gathering weapons and men with a hope to defeat the other and gain everything.

The war lasts for nearly a decade with many casualties on both sides. It isn’t until the colonies seek France’s help, though, that England takes action. Using their superior naval force and sending in ground troops to take out supply lines (against the British notion of honorable warfare), the British soon take out the colonial army. As the 18th century draws to a close, England holds its head high and crows its triumph to the world.

With the heady blaze of victory ignited into English hearts, the country marches onward to rid their newly won lands from the enemies that camp on their borders. Sending out explorers, they soon identify which of England’s enemies have claims to lands on the vast continent. Seeing hatred and resentment among the natives at England’s enemies, the English befriend the natives, drawing them to their cause. Soon, England and the natives (now equipped with new, better weapons) march on Spain and France’s colonies, driving them out. As they march, more natives joined their cause for promises of their lands returned. With North America rid of their enemies, England turns south, flushing out those who have fled south and the colonies there. By the end of the 19th century, England has most of North and South America under its control.

For a few years after the start of the 20th century, England seems content to look after its newly acquired lands, but it seems the steadily growing Empire isn’t just satisfied with the Americas. With new advances in technology to aid their fight, England turns its eyes homeward, to Europe. Using resources from the Americas and recruiting men from its new Native American allies, they soon start to storm the continent. As each new country topples, more countries start to fear England’s power. Feeling it is safer to side with the new super power, they start to ally with England. Soon England has all of Europe under its control, either through treaties or by force.

Recruiting heavily among its new lands and allies, England turns eastward once more, seeing more lands to claim as its own. With new technologies, they are soon wearing away at the Asian continent. By the end of the 20th century, all but the most distant lands in Asia have fallen or allied themselves with this new super power. Satisfied for the moment, England spends its time improving its new lands, recruiting the newest and brightest to continue to advance its technologies and weapons.

Now in the 22nd century, England has ruled for over 300 years. Years and huge quantities of money have gone into their military to make it the most militaristic country ever seen in history. It keeps an iron fist on its people, controlling their lives to a certain degree and layering strict laws and regulations to dictate what they can and cannot do. Those in the further corners of the land have more freedoms, so far from the center of the Empire. Those closest though, are not so lucky.

Many who resent the Empire have joined a resistance faction, led by their mysterious leader Nimueh, which lurks on the edge of the Empire, waiting for the moment to take down the tyrannical super power. The storm is brewing, and soon war will break out across the Empire. For now though, many are oblivious to the mounting tension, going about their lives. One such family is just about to start a new portion of their life.

~*~

Rain hissed outside the window as the bus drove down the road. There was nothing to see but water, dreary dead fields, and towering metal power grids that zipped past before you could get a good look at them. Merlin was slumped in the very back seat, right next to the small little loo that was their only restroom until they reached their destination.

His mother was further up, talking with another woman. Her son, older than Merlin by a few years, looked bored out of his mind and on the verge of sleep. Merlin jerked his head up as his mother stood and walked to the back where he sat.

Hunith’s warm brown eyes stared sadly down at his limp form that was draped along the three seats that made up the back row. “Merlin–,” she started to say.

“Mum, why do we have to go?” Merlin asked again, sitting up to stare pleadingly at her.

“Merlin, you know why we have to go.”

“But I didn’t want to move. I wanted to stay where we were, with Will and Freya. That was our home and where—” Merlin stopped as his mother’s eyes grew wet at his words.

Hunith knelt down in front of him, drawing him into her arms. “I’m sorry, Merlin. I never wanted this to happen. If I could have found a way, we would never have left, but with your,” she swallowed heavily, the memories still fresh, “with your father gone, we must. There’s no way around it. Please understand,” she begged quietly, looking at him imploringly.

“I’m sorry. I understand.” Inside, a little bubble of anger fought to grow and escape. She was still lying to him, even now. She didn’t want to stay in their home anymore, not after Father had died. She didn’t know, but he had heard her on the phone, after the funeral with his Uncle Gaius. Father hadn’t even been in the ground an hour and she had already been making plans to leave.

As she sat back in her seat, Merlin glared out of the front of the bus. He could see the others in the corners of his eyes. They were other families like his, who had lost a family member and were being rounded up and forced to move into Family Continuance Centers, communal housing areas for families like theirs, who had lost a Dom or a Sub and the one left refusing to choose a new partner.

His Uncle Gaius had been the same. After Aunt Alice had passed away a few years ago, he had refused a new Sub and had retired to the Family Continuance Center that they were headed to at the moment. It was on some military base that Uncle Gaius and Aunt Alice had served on for most of their lives.

Sighing heavily, he turned his music player on, stuffing the earbuds into his ears. They had a long way to go and with nothing to see but gray clouds and rain, it was going to be a boring trip. Curling up into a ball, he let the music lull him to sleep.

~*~

Merlin jolted awake as the bus came to a sudden stop, nearly sending him to the floor. Only a quick grab of the seat in front of him saved him from a face plant. Straightening, he looked out the window to see what was going on.

It was still raining outside, but he could make out flashing lights ahead. “What’s happening?” asked a man in the front with his young daughter on his lap.

“There seems to be a commotion in the area. The authorities are seeing to it, but until it is taken care of, please remain seated. We will continue once they give the go ahead,” the bus driver said, turning back to look at them.

Just then, there was a loud thunk in the field off to their left. A second later, the field exploded into a fireball, chunks of earth and plant matter raining down with the actual rain to coat everything, turning it to mud.

Someone screamed further ahead in the bus, but when nothing else happened, the talking started back up again. Merlin pressed his forehead to the window, trying to see what was going on outside. He blinked as a couple of people in solid black went darting by the bus, heading further away from their position.

A moment later, the bus started back up and they began to move. Merlin strained to see the ones who had run by but he couldn’t. When even the flashing lights of the constabulary’s cars faded, he turned back around. Mind buzzing with ideas of what had happened; he started his music player back up, leaning back into the seat.

~*~

The rest of the trip was uneventful. He’d fallen asleep again, this time sitting up, and woke up with a kink in his neck. Stretching, he looked out the window. The rain seemed to have finally let up and only a light mist fell. The gray clouds lingered, though, and the world looked washed out.

Grabbing his things, he shuffled behind his mother down the aisle and off the bus. Men in uniforms waited for everyone to disembark before calling out family names. Once every name had been checked, they were told to follow them into the building before them.

Inside, a small group of people waited for their arrival. Some were family members, others friends, or acquaintances. Gaius stood on the edge of the group, waiting for them. He waved them over, giving each of them a smile and hug.

A few minutes later, they were seated in a small car being whisked away to their new home. Their belongings, what they couldn’t fit on the bus, would arrive in a few days. Merlin stared at the buildings they passed. They looked like two story houses that had been fused to the one next to it in a long chain down the street.

Merlin could see people moving about, even in the wet. Wondering what their place would look like, he looked ahead, waiting for the car that Gaius drove to stop. They stopped in a nice area. A small park was nearby and the houses didn’t appear ragged.

Getting out of the car, they all trooped up the stairs to the main door. “We are on the top floor. The family on this floor is a father, Tom, and his two children Gwen and Elyan.” Gaius led them up the staircase to their home on the second floor. Inside, it looked nice. The rooms were large enough for a family, but Gaius had filled them with some of his clutter. Smiling at the overflowing bookcases and tables he remembered most from visiting Gaius, Merlin walked further in.

“Where do I sleep?” Merlin asked, turning to Gaius. The older man led him down the short hall.

“You are in here. I’ve already bought some furnishings for you.” Inside was a wide bed, a desk, a dresser, and a large bookcase, all packed into the small room. Everything looked so bare and unlived in. Merlin wondered how long it would take before that feeling disappeared.

Thanking Gaius, he walked in, listening to his uncle head back down the hall. Setting his stuff down, Merlin threw himself onto the bed, stretching out. It was quiet in the room, not even the sound of rain penetrating through the thick curtains covering his single window.

Wanting to get some air, he reached for his bag, digging through it until he found his coat. Tugging it on, he headed back down the hall to the main room. Gaius and his mother were seated at the table talking lowly as they drank some tea. His mother glanced up at his entrance. “Merlin?”

“I’m gonna get some air and look around the neighborhood,” Merlin said, fidgeting and wanting to get outside. Finally, after a few awkward moments of silence, she nodded with a smile. “I’ll be back in a little while.” He didn’t wait for them to say more, shutting the front door behind him and taking the stairs as quickly as he could.

Outside, it was chilly, the wind cool and the mist slicking his skin and hair. A few cars drove by, but mostly the streets were empty. Deciding to see if the park he’d noticed earlier was any good, Merlin set off down the road.

Gaius hadn’t lived in this area before. He’d lived closer to the edge of the base with Aunt Alice in a house with a yard and quite a few animals. They’d never had any children of their own, but they had had a few foster children that they looked after until a home could be found for them. After Aunt Alice had died though, Gaius had sold the house and moved here, saying he didn’t need so much space. Merlin had known though, that Gaius couldn’t live there without Aunt Alice.

Sighing heavily, Merlin turned his thoughts away from that. It would just lead him back to his own problems. Ahead, the park came into view. It was empty, children forced to remain inside until the rain stopped. Stopping at the small playground, Merlin sat in the wet swing, rocking back and forth as he looked around. A small copse of trees grew along one side of the park, but it was mostly open fields and this little playground.

It was quiet except for the dripping of the rain water off of leaves and playground equipment, and the distant sound of traffic. It was quiet enough that he could hear raised voices coming from the copse of trees. Intrigued, Merlin stood, following the noise.

As he got closer, he could distinguish the gender and knew there were at least one girl and a lot of boys. Edging closer, he looks through the trees to see what was going on. There’s a group of boys standing around two girls, one of which is on the ground, crying a little.

The other was glaring at the boys, head held proudly as she glared at them. “…all just a bunch of brutes,” she was saying aloud to them.

“Better than being prissy little girls,” one boy shot back and his friends laughed around him.

“You know, it’s a bit unfair for a bunch of boys to gang up on two girls. Makes you look kind of weak that you couldn’t take on two girls by yourself,” Merlin said aloud, moving from behind his tree.

The two girls stiffen at his voice, but he ignored them. He was about to get into a whole lot of trouble in a minute and needed to stay focused if he was going to make it out with just a few bruises. He was such an idiot for doing this, but he couldn’t stand by while these bullies ran free.

He was kind of braced for the first blow, but it caught him on his cheek, just under his eye and he let out a sharp gasp as he tumbled to the ground. They were on him in the next instant and all Merlin could do was hope they tired soon.

A few punches rained down and then abruptly stopped, the boys backing off. He was not paying attention to what was happening, pushing himself up and gently probing at his bruised cheek. Mum was so going to kill him.

“Thank you,” the girl who had been standing up to the boys said, kneeling down next to him. The second girl was tucked into her side, sniffing a little.

“No problem,” Merlin mumbled, looking around. There was another boy in the clearing, back to him as he watched the other boys leave.

“I’m Morgana, by the way. This here is Gwen.” She gestured to the darker skinned girl under her arm.

“Merlin,” he replied, smiling a little at them.

“You’re the one moving in upstairs?” Gwen asked quietly.

“Yeah, I just arrived not too long ago. Mum’s gonna kill me. Just got here and already in a fight.” Sighing, he poked at his cheek, wincing at the sharp pain.

“I’ll tell her what happened. You won’t get in trouble then,” Gwen reassured.

“You all right?” The remaining boy asked. Merlin looked up into bright blue eyes underneath a blond fringe. Blinking, he nodded. “You’re an idiot for taking them on.”

“Arthur!” Morgana hissed at the boy.

“It’s the truth. Valiant’s a bully and likes to gang up on others with his cronies. You’re lucky you only got a few bruises.”

Merlin shrugged. “I figured as much, but I couldn’t let them harass these two.”

Sighing, the other boy held out his hand. “I’m Arthur Pendragon.”

“Merlin Emrys,” Merlin answered, smiling up at him before wincing when the bruise twinged a little at the play of facial muscles.

~*~

Part 1

Four years later

“Merlin, if you don’t hurry up, we’ll be late.” Arthur tapped his foot impatiently, waiting for him to make his way down the stairs. Four years of knowing Merlin and his friend still hadn’t learned to get ready early. As if in line with his thoughts, Merlin came hopping down the stairs, tugging on his trainers, bag hanging haphazardly over his shoulder.

“About time,” Arthur muttered, waiting until Merlin had reached the bottom step before turning to leave the building. Merlin shadowed his steps and they were both greeted by Gwen and Elyan as they waited for the two of them.

“Sorry, guys. I was up late finishing the paper that was due today.” Merlin grinned sheepishly, straightening his bag and running a quick hand through his disheveled locks. Smiling at Merlin, Gwen and Elyan both nodded and the four set off down the street, headed for school.

They had been walking for a few minutes when Morgana appeared out of nowhere, falling into step with their little group. She and Gwen fell back, talking rapidly about something that only they knew of.

Arthur and Elyan started up their own conversation, voices excited and hands gesturing with enthusiasm about the game that had been on yesterday. Merlin mostly ignored them, offering a comment every now and then. He’d watched the game with Arthur and Elyan at Arthur’s place, but even then he hadn’t been paying attention.

It didn’t take long to get to school and the small group broke up, Morgana and Gwen headed for their first class of the day, Elyan waving goodbye as he was pulled off by some other friends to discuss the game.

Merlin and Arthur were silent as they made their way down the hall to their first class. They had been sitting in it for about ten minutes, listening to the teacher drone on about proper English when Merlin felt a tap on his side. Turning, Merlin saw the boy next to him raising an eyebrow, holding out a slip of paper. He nodded towards Arthur.

Sighing, Merlin took the paper. Poking Arthur in the arm he waited for Arthur to turn in his seat. “Mr. Emrys, Mr. Pendragon.” Merlin flinched, hand outstretched with the note he had been passing to Arthur, Arthur likewise frozen. “I will see you two after class and perhaps next time you will think before passing notes in my class.”

Glaring at the boy who had originally sent the note, Merlin sighed and leaned back into his seat. The class passed in a blur of nothing retained and with another sigh, he and Arthur remained seated as the others got up to go to their next class.

“Come forward, boys,” Professor Wilson said, beckoning them to the front of the class. “You know the rules. No note passing in class; detention after school for three hours.”

“But sir, there’s a game after school and the team needs me,” Arthur argued.

“You should have thought about that before you decided to pass notes in my class. You are dismissed.” There was no mistaking the steel that rang in his voice. They both nodded and walked out, Merlin still not having said a word.

“Look, Arthur, I’m sor–,” Merlin started to say.

“Why the hell did you pass me that note?” Arthur yelled, turning on the paler boy. He was pissed, his face red with anger.

“It wasn’t even my note! Why am I being blamed for it? Don’t kill the messenger!” Merlin yelled back.

“I don’t care, Merlin!” Arthur turned and stormed away, shoulders stiff with tension and anger. Merlin’s shoulders slumped. Kicking the wall, he headed off in the opposite direction for his next class.

~*~

Merlin could feel Arthur’s eyes boring into his back. Arthur was seated behind him in the stuffy classroom. Outside, the sun was making its way down. The game would be over soon. He’d talked with Gwen and Morgana and they said Arthur wasn’t talking much at the moment. Elyan had just looked at him and shook his head.

Merlin had been avoiding the football team as much as possible. Word had gotten round that Merlin had gotten Arthur stuck in detention and now they were after some blood. Now in detention, it was awkward between them.

One other boy was in the room with them and Gwaine seemed to be oblivious to all the tension, snoring away with his head pillowed on his arms. Trying not to squirm and hitch his shoulders in unease, Merlin concentrated on the doodle he was drawing on the loose piece of paper in front of him. The scratch of his pen and Gwaine’s snoring were the only things to be heard.

Mrs. Gilva stepped into the class room just as the timer on the front desk went off. Arthur was out of his seat and across the room by the time she nodded for them to go. Merlin remained seated, watching his retreating form through the window.

“Mr. Emrys, please wake Mr. Tavern and head home. It will be dark soon and curfew will soon be in effect.” She left, shutting the door behind her.

Sighing, Merlin pushed up out of his seat, crumpling his doodle. Tossing it into the bin, he walked over to where Gwaine was sleeping. “Gwaine.” He poked the older boy in the side. When all Gwaine did was swat at his hand, Merlin poked him harder.

“What?” Gwaine snapped, jerking up to glare blearily at him.

“We can head home now,” Merlin replied.

“Oh, okay.” Gwaine tossed his long hair out of his face, grinning at the paler boy.

Smiling back, Merlin turned and left, ignoring the sound of Gwaine behind him. Stopping at his locker, Merlin started to get his things together. “So, I hear the football team is mightily pissed off at you,” Gwaine said from his position against the opposite row of lockers.

Merlin jumped and looked behind him. Gwaine was leaned up against the opposite wall, arms crossed as he watched Merlin get his bag together. “I guess.”

“Hmm, that’s quite an accomplishment.” Gwaine smirked at him as Merlin slammed his locker closed.

“I suppose it is.” Shouldering his bag, he started to storm out of the school, ignoring the ease with which Gwaine kept pace. “Are you following me?” Merlin finally asked a few minutes later as the light slowly faded. He hoped he could make it home before it got really dark.

“Nope, I live this way.” He pointed ahead, where the Family Continuance Center for students who wished to live by themselves was situated. It was a tall plain building, basically a rectangle with even spaced windows.

“Oh,” Merlin said as an uncomfortable silence fell between them.

“Try not to pass anymore notes in class, Mr. Emrys,” Gwaine called out as he headed for his building, mimicking Mr. Wilson’s voice passably. Grinning, Merlin kept on walking, waving until the boy disappeared into the building.

It was nearly dark when he came to the park. It was his usual way home, a shortcut through it instead of going all the way around. Walking quickly, he made his way through. He didn’t see where the first fist came from as it connected with his face, but he did see the second and third and fourth until he lost count. Around him, angry voices yelled at him, but he was too busy trying to keep from crying out to make out what was being said.

~*~

It wasn’t until lunch that Arthur noticed Merlin’s absence. He was still angry at Merlin’s blunder. How hard was it to pass a note without getting caught? He hadn’t waited for Merlin at the end of detention. The next morning, he’d gone on straight to school, not stopping by Merlin’s place like he usually did.

Finally, half way through lunch, he worked up enough worry to ask Gwen where Merlin was. “Oh, you mean you didn’t hear? Hunith called into school saying Merlin was sick or something. When I asked this morning, she said he wasn’t feeling well and was staying home.”

“Apparently something happened at the park this morning,” Morgana announced, flopping down with her tray next to Arthur. “I had to come in early and saw a bunch of constable cars parked along the street. They said someone was attacked last night.”

“Are you coming over to see him?” Gwen asked Arthur, looking up with worry in her eyes. She was always fretting when he and Merlin had fights.

“He’ll say no and then end up going anyways, just like always.” Morgana smirked at him.

~*~

Arthur was waiting at the front gate for Gwen and Elyan when the two of them came running up, eyes round and faces pale. “Did you hear? There were some constables here this afternoon talking with some of the football team. There’s a rumor going around that they may have something to do with the attack last night.” Elyan took a breath as he finished.

“What? They wouldn’t do something like that,” Arthur denied.

“You didn’t see them last night Arthur. They were pissed after they lost, it was the regional finals and they needed to win this game to go to the districts. They were mad because you weren’t there.” Gwen said the last sentence in a quiet voice, brows furrowed in worry.

“Well, that’s not my fault. It’s Merlin’s…” Arthur trailed off.

“You don’t think?” Elyan asked lowly.

“Didn’t you walk home with him, Arthur?” Gwen asked, looking up at him.

“I didn’t last night. I left before him because I was still mad.” They were quiet for a moment as their thoughts connected the dots.

Without another word said, they left school grounds, walking and sometimes out right running to get to Merlin’s place.

~*~

“Hello, Mrs. Emrys,” Gwen said to the woman who opened the door. She looked pale and drawn, dark circles under her eyes just adding to the worry that clouded her face.

“Oh, hello dears,” she answered.

“Can we see Merlin?” Elyan asked.

“Ah, he’s asleep at the moment,” she hedged.

“We just want to make sure he’s all right, since he wasn’t in school today,” Gwen coaxed sweetly.

“Hunith, they’ll find out eventually. Come in children.” Gaius looked severe, his face aged with worry. The tension in the three teens grew as they stepped in the home and Hunith shut the door.

They sat around the family’s small table. “As I’m sure you have heard, there was an attack last night,” Gaius began.

“It was Merlin?” Gwen asked horrified. When Gaius just nodded, Arthur felt his stomach drop.

“He was taken to a hospital and although there was some bad bruising, a slight concussion and a broken arm, he will be okay. He’s been sleeping most of the day since he was released. The pain killers made him drowsy. We ask that you keep this from getting around for now until his attackers are caught. If you are asked by his other friends, you may say what has happened, but we ask that you give the same warning.” Gaius looked weighted down by his words.

“Can I see him?” Arthur asked softly, guilt weighing down on his shoulders. If he hadn’t left Merlin alone, if he hadn’t let his anger get between them, this would have never happened. He could have protected Merlin. Hunith nodded and he stood, walking softly down the hall to where he knew where Merlin’s room was.

It was dark inside, the curtain drawn and the lights off. A chair had been dragged into the room and was next to the bed. Merlin lay limp and pale against the dark sheets. He looked smaller then he usually did. His face was a patch work of pale skin and livid bruises. His lip was split and swollen, his mouth hanging open a little. His casted arm was elevated on a cushion, pale gray in color.

Arthur sat down heavily. “I’m so sorry, Merlin,” he whispered hoarsely, reaching out to lay a hand on his friend’s pale hand.

~*~

Four years later

“Keep up, Merlin!” Arthur’s yell echoed back down the ranks. Merlin just rolled his eyes, chest heaving as he kept pace with the man in front of him.

“Yeah, Merlin, keep up,” Gwaine mocked, sending an easy grin his way. Merlin wondered how long Gwaine would get away with his hair that long before their drill sergeant ordered him to trim it. They had a pool on it; Merlin had bet for two weeks from now.

Dust trailed behind them, the hard packed dirt road dry from lack of rain. Ahead, the team jogged in sync. They still had another three miles to run, and already the sun was beating down on them with merciless heat, the sky an empty blue, no clouds to provide shade.

As they came to a stop, finally back at their barracks, Merlin let out a happy sigh, letting the cool shade of the building wash over him. Seeing Percy, Elyan, Leon and Gwaine gathered together in a knot, he went over to see what they were talking about.

“…need to get everything ready for it,” Leon was saying to Elyan.

“Ready for what?” Merlin asked, coming closer.

“Ah, nothing to concern your pretty little head about, Merlin,” Gwaine assured, wrapping an arm around his shoulders.

Shrugging out from under his arm, Merlin turned to look over them. “You only call my head pretty when you’re trying to hide something. This better not be about a certain day that’s approaching?”

“And what day would that be, Merlin? The day you finally get a brain?” Arthur asked behind him, leaning on Merlin’s shoulder heavily.

“Get off, you heathen, you’re heavy,” Merlin complained, trying to wiggle out from Arthur’s draping weight and the fact that he still smelled from their run. “And you smell.”

“You just wish you could smell as nice as me, Merlin. Now, what day are we talking about?” Arthur asked, pressing down on Merlin and stopping him from moving from his position.

“My birthday,” Merlin grumbled, glaring at the others. “If you guys are holding a surprise party, I will not attend,” Merlin declared.

“Technically, it’s not a surprise since we were going to tell you anyway,” Percy told him, elbowing Gwaine in the ribs when the man laughed.

“I told you guys, I don’t want a party.”

“Come on, Merlin. You only turn twenty once. It’s the last year before you’re officially legal,” Gwaine tried to persuade him.

“Besides, Gwen and Morgana are making you a cake and everything. You wouldn’t want to disappoint them, would you?” Elyan said coyly, knowing he’d won the argument the moment he mentioned his sister.

Merlin visibly deflated. Even if he held out against them, the moment Gwen turned her eyes on him, he would be lost. He might as well give up now with some dignity still intact. “Fine, but nothing big.” The others grinned.

With a shove, he finally got out from under Arthur. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna shower. You might consider doing so as well; you’re all a little ripe.” He pinched his nose with a smirk and ducked the swing Arthur aimed at him, running with Arthur on his trail.

The showers weren’t too crowded, and the water was still somewhat warm. Merlin let it wash away the dust and sweat, running soapy fingers through his hair. He could hear some others down the row of stalls, talking over the sound of the spraying water.

A soft sigh reached his ears and he turned to see who it was. He turned back just as quickly, pink staining his cheeks. The stalls had no curtains for absolute privacy, but there was an unspoken rule that no one looked into another stall without the go-ahead of the stall’s occupant. Arthur was in a stall diagonal to his own and though he could only see his arm moving, Merlin knew what he was doing.

Flushing, Merlin hastily shut his stall off, grabbing a towel and fleeing. Changing as fast as he could, he headed away from the communal male showers and their barracks nearby. Merlin wasn’t sure when it had started, this thing for Arthur, and right now he wanted it to stop. Arthur was his best friend; he shouldn’t be feeling this way for him. Besides, Arthur liked girls, not guys. If he ever found out, he would surely hate Merlin.

Glancing up, he realized he had walked in a circle and had somehow ended back up at the barracks. Feeling somewhat calmer, he pressed on, walking into the building. The others were lounging around, enjoying the break between PT and classes. Merlin sighed mentally when he saw Arthur wasn’t there.

Gwaine and a couple of others were seated around a table, cards out. “How ‘bout a game, Merlin?”

~*~

Merlin groaned quietly when he saw Elyan come running over to him from the barracks. He’d spent all morning in his computer classes, learning all the ins and outs of coding and encryption. His mind was buzzing with numbers and formulas and right now, he didn’t want to have to deal with what the others had prepared for his birthday party.

“Don’t even think of running, Merlin.” Elyan grabbed his arm, dragging him along. “Gwen and Morgana arrived about an hour ago and I’ve had to beat Gwaine off the cake they brought.”

Merlin braced himself as the door to the barracks opened and yells of “Happy Birthday!” resounded all around him. A banner was pinned to a wall, reading “Happy 20th Birthday” in big bold lettering. Smiling ruefully, he allowed Elyan to steer him over to the table where his cake sat, looking more like sugar with cake added, there was so much frosting.

Merlin endured the shoulder slaps and — in Gwen and Morgana’s case — hugs with good grace, smiling at them all. A few handed him plainly wrapped gifts, small things that would be useful when they finally got out of basic training and was actually the legal age to join the military.

By the time they got to the cake, Merlin wanted to run out of the room. He liked his friends, he really did, but sometimes they could be a little pushy. Taking a steadying breath, he allowed them to cut the cake, turning an indulgent eye on Gwaine and Percy when they pulled out the stashed case of beer. He didn’t even want to know how they had gotten that, let alone how they had snuck it onto the base.

As the conversations started, laughter and jokes passing around the group, Merlin slid into the shadows and out the door. The night was cool and the breeze felt good on his warmed skin. Inside the building, the room was stuffy and hot from so many bodies. Leaning on the railing, he stared up through the sky to the stars.

When the door opened behind him, he glanced up, watching as Arthur shut it and came to lean against the rail with him, back to the sky, face half in light from the light seeping through the windows. “You know, it’s traditional for the birthday boy to stay for his whole birthday party,” Arthur commented with a smirk.

“I’m going back in, just wanted some air.” Merlin straightened, looking at Arthur as he fidgeted with the sleeve of his shirt, a hint of hesitation in his eyes. “Arthur?”

“Here.” Arthur shoved a small package at him, looking away as Merlin stared down at it. Opening it gingerly, he looked down at the pendant nestled inside the box. It was a bronze dragon, finely worked and wrapped around a blue stone. The light reflected off the stone, making it shine like a beacon.

“Wha–,” Merlin started to ask.

“I saw it the other day and thought you might like it.” He dragged in a deep breath before looking back at Merlin. “Happy Birthday, Merlin,” Arthur said, smiling.

“Thank you,” Merlin managed to get out of his suddenly tight throat. He was glad his face was in shadow or Arthur would be sure to see the flush staining his cheeks or the dopey grin on his lips. “Really, thank you. I love it.” Merlin lifted it up, letting the light shine over the delicate scales of the dragon’s hide.

“Here, let me…” Arthur pulled the chain from Merlin’s fingers, undoing the clasp. Leaning forward, he reached behind Merlin to clasp it. Merlin went rigid, heart in his throat beating a mile a minute.

Arthur started to pull back, grin on his lips as he looked at Merlin. Arthur stopped and Merlin realized he must not be entirely in shadow if Arthur could see the look on his face. Feeling his heart start to plummet, Merlin started to pull away, meaning to head back inside before he could make an even bigger fool of himself.

He was pulled to a stop as Arthur grabbed his arm, tugging him back around with ease. He could only blink in surprise as warm lips slid against his briefly and then pulled away, blue eyes shining impishly at him. “Happy Birthday, Merlin,” Arthur whispered, thumb caressing his arm where it held him.

Hope blooming in his chest, Merlin leaned closer. “Happy Birthday to me.” They didn’t pull away until Gwaine started to yell from inside, telling them to “get their sorry arses back inside for the games.” Smirking at each other, they walked back inside.

~*~

One year later

Merlin uncurled from his hunched position over his laptop. Leon was standing over him, body in shadow from the sun behind him. “Major Kilgharrah is looking for you.” Merlin didn’t need to read between the lines to know what it was about. He turned twenty-one today, officially legal to all, including the government.

He’d finished filling out all the required forms, including those for joining the army. Among those had been a tiny little box titled Orientation, two categories underneath Dom and Sub. He knew it was only a matter of time before his partner was chosen and Merlin had been dreading it.

It was highly unlikely they would choose Arthur for him. The government cared not for love but efficiency and he would be paired with whomever they deemed appropriate. Nodding, he shut his laptop, letting Leon pull him to his feet.

Leon sent him a sympathetic look before heading the other way. Leon had already been through this, being a year older. He’d been lucky. They had paired him with Morgana and though neither wanted it, they at least knew each other. He’d be lucky just to get someone from this base.

Squaring his shoulders, Merlin headed off to the Major’s office, dread leavening his heart heavy. It was a short walk to the building, a one story brick structure that was more or less the center of the base. Knocking on Major Kilgharrah’s door, he waited to be called in.

“Ah, yes, Private Emrys, is it. Come in, come in,” he called out gruffly, voice gravelly from years spent smoking. “Sit.” He pointed to a chair in front of his large wooden desk. “I assume you must know by now what it is you’re here for?” Merlin nodded. “Good, good. Then this won’t take long. I see all the paperwork has been filled out. All that’s left is to meet ‘em. You will need to come back later today with your partner to finish the last bit of paperwork. Alright then, head down the hall, fifth door on the left.”

Knowing a dismissal when he heard one, Merlin stood with a salute before leaving the office and the smell of tobacco smoke behind. He dragged his feet as he walked down the hall. It seemed to go on forever before the right door came into view. It was solid, no windows to see inside the room, so no preparing for who might be inside.

Taking a breath, Merlin gripped the handle and opened the door, looking inside. The first thing he noticed was blond hair shining in the light from the windows on the other side of the room. It took his mind a few seconds to catch up with who he was looking at. “Arthur?” Merlin asked, confused. It was supposed to have been near impossible for this to happen.

Arthur turned around, a small smile on his face. It struck him then what this meant. Shutting the door firmly behind him, Merlin ran the short distance across the room to collide with Arthur. Strong arms wrapped around Merlin, pulling him closer. “Hello, Merlin.”

~*~

Five years later


Merlin fidgeted with the sleeve of his white coat, eyes glued to his computer screen, watching the rows and rows of numbers scroll by. “Merlin?” Arthur called from somewhere on the other side of the large computer bank.

“Hang on.” He scowled at the numbers, looking for the bit of information someone had screwed up when working on it. “Ah ha!” He quickly highlighted the coding, changing it with ease of practice. Blinking owlishly, he looked up to where Arthur was leaning against the wall watching him.

“Have you been here all night?” he asked, coming forward. Sliding his dark-framed glasses off, Merlin rubbed tiredly at his eyes, nodding.

“The Powers That Be have had me going over their programs with a fine toothed comb for anything wrong with them. What’s up?” Merlin asked, leaning back in his chair.

“The Dragon wants us in his office,” Arthur answered, tugging the lagging computer genius up from his rolling chair with ease.

Merlin snorted, leaning against Arthur’s solid frame tiredly, letting him wrap muscular arms around his shoulders. “I look forward to the day he hears you calling him that. I won’t be there to rescue you.”

“Come on, idiot. He said a.s.a.p. and he meant it.” He herded Merlin from the cold, sterile room, shutting the door behind them with a click and a beep as the locks engaged. A walk between buildings and they were soon ensconced in the Major’s office, the door locked and the soundproofing activated. This was important business, then.

They both sat up straight as the Major dragged on a cigarette, smoke drifting up in lazy curls only to be sucked out of the room by the air filter. “We have recently come into some important information about the faction group The Old Religion.” Neither said a word as they waited for him to continue. “We have gotten word that the group will be recruiting in a nearby city. So far, no team we have sent in has been able to penetrate into their ranks.” He took another drag.

“And you think we will, because…?” Arthur asked, glancing at Merlin.

“That is because none of the other teams have been able to convince them that they are for TOR’s cause. They oppose the Empire’s chosen pairing program and believe that everyone should be allowed to choose. You two have been in the ops for five years now, but you’re still relatively unknown in the larger circles. If anyone could fool TOR, it would be you two.” He stabbed his cigarette out with a vicious twist, sending a few flecks of ash to the floor.

“Is this an order, or are we allowed to choose?” Merlin asked, looking the Major square in the eye.

“It has always been a choice on the missions you take. If you do choose this mission, then you must be prepared. You will be given a whole new life, new names, new everything. This is deep undercover and we may not be able to get to you in time should you be found out.”

The two gazed at each other, sharing a look between them that spoke volumes. Arthur turned to look at Major Kilgharrah. “We’ll take the mission.”


Part II