Merlin slowly opened his eyes and he slammed his hand on the alarm clock. The beeping sound stopped abruptly. Merlin groaned when he looked at his alarm clock. 6:30 AM. He pushed his covers of him and sat up straight in his bed. His swung his legs over the side of the bed. He hissed when his feet touched the cold floor. He sighed. He didn't want to go to school today. Normally he wouldn't mind so much, but today was different. He didn't exactly know why, but he could feel it. And usually his feelings were right, so he wasn't going to start doubting them now. He slowly stood up and walked around his room searching for something to wear.

Ten minutes later he walked down the stairs fully dressed. He greeted his mom, Hunith, with a kiss on her cheek.

'Morning mom.' he said.

'Morning Merlin.'

Merlin sat down at the kitchen table and grabbed a slice of bread. He rubbed his eyes.

'Are you tired?' Hunith asked.

'No, I'm fine. It's just early and I'm not that exited for school.'

His mother gave him a knowing look. Ever since Merlin was little he was able to feel it if something out of the ordinary was going to happen. It didn't necessarily need to be something bad, or big for that matter. Just anything that was going to have an impact on him. He had felt it the day his father died in a car crash, that was the first time. He's never told anyone except for his mother. He's never even told Arthur, his best friend since he was just fourteen years old.

'Is it bad?' was the only thing Hunith said. Her voice was soft, but he could hear the concern in her voice.

'No.' Merlin said softly. 'Almost nothing, compared to dad at least.'

He saw his mother turn her head away. She always did that when they talked about his father. Not because she didn't want to talk about it, but it was too much. He was the love of her life and even though it's been over ten years, it was still hard on her. But she kept herself together for Merlin's sake. She was doing a great job raising Merlin and he made sure to let her know that.

The rest of breakfast was spend in silence and at 7:30 AM Merlin walked out the door, grabbed his bicycle and went to school. It was five miles from his house to the university. He lived outside of the city and since he couldn't afford a car or the bus he cycled to school every day. He didn't mind, he liked it. It was nice to get some exercise before school and he was used to it by now.

A small thirty minutes later he arrived at the gates of the university. He went to Avalon University where he studied literature. It was a lot of work, especially with his part-time job at the bookstore in town, but he managed. And he couldn't give up his job, because he had to help pay for his tuition. Not that he wanted to, he loved working there.

He rushed inside when he saw that his class would start in two minutes. He had classic literature. This semester they were going to work on Shakespeare. That was the main reason he was excited for this class or at least that was what he had told himself. If he was going to be completely honest he'd say that he was looking forward to it, because he had this class with Arthur, his best friend, who he just so happened to be in love with. For three years now, and it was quite pathetic since he had a girlfriend. Guinevere, Gwen for short. Of course that wasn't the worst part. No to worst part was that Gwen was also one of his best friends so he had to look at them together all the time. It hurt, mostly because his heart couldn't stop resenting her even though she's a good friend, but he didn't show it. No one knew about it, although Merlin suspected that his mother knew. Thankfully she didn't try to make him talk about it.

He made it in time for his class and he sat down next to Arthur.

'Cutting in close this time?' Arthur said to him with a grin on his face.

Merlin was barely able to hide the smile that would show how happy his was to see his friend. Without Gwen. He was very grateful for that, because now he was able to be around Arthur without having to see him with his girlfriend. It was a shame that in all the other classes either Gwen was there or Arthur wasn't, so all he really had was a few hours a week.

'Just making sure I don't have to spend more time with you than needed.' Merlin retaliated.

Arthur pretended as if he was hurt by the insult. 'How dare you speak to me like that.'

'Prat.'

'Idiot.'

'Clotpole.'

'What the hell is a clotpole?' Arthur said a little too loud.

'Pendragon.' Professor Gaius, who had just started class, said; 'Is there something you want to share?'

'No sir.' Arthur answered.

'Then shut your mouth and pay attention.'

Arthur grumbled something that Merlin couldn't hear clearly and slumped in his seat. Merlin grabbed his notebook with the intention to take notes, but instead he started doodling. Every now and then he would dare to sneak a glance at Arthur. He was watching Gaius with great interest. Merlin admired that about his friend. He looked beautiful when he thought that no one was looking. Merlin could see the strained look he had on his face whenever someone was watching him. Merlin knew why that was. He knew that Arthur always felt like he had to prove himself. Prove himself a worthy son to his father, a good friend and to even proof himself to Gwen. Merlin wanted nothing more than to be able to help his friend , but he knew that his friend wouldn't accept it. So he tried to help him in the only way that he could, be there whenever Arthur needed him. He was there when Uther had been unreasonable, he had been there when Gwen broke up with him (that unfortunately only lasted a week before they got back together), and the worst of all, he was there whenever he wanted to talk about Gwen. How amazing, beautiful and smart she was.

Merlin sighed and from the corner of his eye he could see that Arthur glanced his way. Merlin looked back and Arthur slid a note towards him. It read;

'Are you okay?'

Merlin smiled at him and nodded. It was enough to convince Arthur. And he was fine. As long as he didn't think too much about Gwen, because it was painful and made him feel guilty.

After class Arthur walked with him to the cafeteria.

'You were spacing out, you know. Are you tired or something?' he asked.

'It's nothing really.' Merlin muttered.

Arthur sighed. 'There's obviously something up, but you're not talking so I'm not asking.'

'Thanks.'

'Anyway, I have some great news for you!'

Merlin looked at Arthur. He felt that this wasn't going to be good. Merlin cursed in silence. So this was probably his feeling this morning. Whenever Arthur had great news that involved Merlin it was a small disaster.

'I got you a date.'

'YOU DID WHAT?' Merlin yelled in surprise.

'Dude. Not everybody has to know. Let's sit down so I can explain.'

Merlin reluctantly sat down opposite of his friend. 'You got me a date?' he hissed quietly.

'Don't panic. It's a good friend of mine, Lancelot, but just call him Lance. He's a great guy. I met him at work and he's a nice and easy-going type of guy. I think you'll get along.'

Arthur smirked. It was obvious he felt really good about himself.

'You remember what happened with Vivian right?'

Arthur huffed. 'You told me you were bi, not gay. How am I supposed to know I shouldn't set you up with a girl then?'

Merlin narrowed his eyes. 'I wasn't talking about that part.'

'Then what are you talking about?'

'I don't know. Maybe the fact that she was only talking about you and in the end she asked me if I could set you two up on a date? You know, that part.'

Arthur looked away. 'This time it's different. Lancelot is bi and he keeps asking about you so I took the liberty.'

'I don't know. I mean I don't know the guy and I'm not sure if I'm up for dating.'

'Please, do it for me then. And it's been ages since you went on a date.'

Merlin frowned. He didn't really want to go on a date, because he didn't think that they would even compare to Arthur. However, it may help him to move on from his crush. Nothing is going to happen between him and Arthur anyway, so he could at least try.

'I'll do it, but you have got to buy me coffee.'

Arthur smiled. 'Black and one sugar right?'

And that was how Merlin got himself a date with Lancelot.