Hi everyone! I don't normally read AU and I've never written it before, but I was kinda stuck for ideas so had to (loosely) base this on something that happened to me recently (sorry, I'm not normally this vain, and I did say it was only loosely based). Also, this is my first fanfic with chapters because a) I haven't decided on the ending yet and b) this will hopefully make it longer. And on that note, thank you to anyone who reviewed my previous stories, thank you so so much.

Sorry for the ramble. Hope you enjoy it and please please review ;)

Chapter 1

Merlin hated football. Well, he hated any mandatory PE. Period. But football was the worst. What was fun about trying to kick a ball in a net and being hurled to the ground by burly idiots as they 'tackled' you?

Merlin sighed, "speaking of burly idiots" he thought, watching his best friend Arthur Pendragon charge down the football field, scoring yet another goal. Arthur was pumping his fists in the air when he noticed Merlin staring at him. Arthur smiled and blew him a kiss, laughing at the consequent wolf whistles

Merlin grinned to himself. It had been a long running inside joke: Merlin and Arthur pretending to be a couple. Always holding hands, hugging, flirting. He sighed. Pretending.

Merlin had had a crush on his best friend for a while now. No one knew. Especially not Arthur, though he was surprised their friends, Morgana and Gwen, hadn't realised yet. Though it was only a matter of tim-

A ball whacked Merlin in the head, sending his backwards. A tall shadow loomed over him. "Sorry Merlin" its owner said sheepishly. Merlin just laughed. Percival was a nice guy: he'd never hurt him on purpose.

Arthur watched as Percival lifted his skinny friend off the ground. That was just so typical of Merlin. To be so preoccupied with his own thoughts he had no idea what was going on around him. Though Arthur couldn't blame him for not being entirely focused on the game. The girls in their year were playing netball on the field next to theirs and Arthur hadn't been able to take his eyes off Gwen...

Gwen was Morgana, his step-sister's, best friend and his long time desire. He had fancied her since Morgana had first introduced them, much to Morgana's delight. He hadn't told her but she had a nose for that kind of thing and Arthur had made her promise under pain of death to never tell anyone. Luckily, Gwen and him were friends, so he got to spend a lot of time with her anyway, without making his feelings too obvious (he hoped).

Arthur had just walked through the door after arriving home from school and collapsed on his bed when he heard his phone vibrating in his pocket.

'Hi Arthur ;)'

It was Merlin. It always was. Him and Merlin often texted after school. And before school. And weekends. Practically any time that they weren't physically with each other. Arthur grinned and hastily replied:

'Hey Merlin, enjoy football? ;)'

'Yeah, great. I especially loved the bit where Percival almost knocked my head off with the ball :/'

'Aww, we wouldn't want anything happening to your pretty little head, would we? ;) seriously, there must be something you enjoyed about it'

'The only bit I enjoyed was you blowing kisses at me, wished they were real :P'

Arthur laughed. Finally. He'd been waiting for the flirting to start:

'I'm guessing the smiley face means you're joking? ;)'

'No, it means trying to be jokey about sad unrequited feelings :('

"Oh no" Thought Arthur "He cannot be serious..." Arthur knew Merlin wasn't straight but did Merlin...like him?

'What do you mean?' He replied

'Forget it, just being stupid'

'No, I don't want to forget it. What did you mean?' Oh Gods, why was he pushing it? Merlin had just given him the perfect escape route, why wasn't he taking it?

'It's just that, I've felt this way for a while now and I know that you see our coupley-ness as just one big joke, but I just wish we were a real couple. I'm sorry, I know you don't feel the same way'

Oh no, oh no, oh no. This could not be happening. His friend had a crush on him. No... His BEST friend had a crush on him. No...his MALE best friend had a crush on him. This could not be happening. Though Arthur couldn't help feeling just a little happy: someone actually liked him.

Arthur was replying to Merlin without thinking:

'Merlin, it's fine. Don't worry. I know exactly how you feel. Actually, I feel the same as you do'

What the hell?! Why had he done that? Why? Oh Gods this was not good. He had just made everything ten times worse. How the Hell had that even been possible?! What was he going to do no-

His phone vibrated, interrupting his frantic thoughts.

'Really? Oh my Gods Arthur I'm so happy. Really?'

Arthur groaned, what was he supposed to reply?: "no, I was just kidding..." Or "No, not really. Just trying to spare your feelings...". So he settled on a simple:

'Yes'

'Hey Arthur?'

'Yes Merlin'

'I was just wondering, does this change anything between us?'

Oh no. How had he not seen that one coming? Maybe if he played dumb, Merlin would just drop it...

'What do you mean?'

'I mean...I know we were kinda a couple anyway but I was wondering if we could we a real couple now?'

'I still don't get it...'

'I'm asking you out, clot pole'

Ah. Playing dumb hadn't worked then. Arthur sighed, how could he not say yes now?

'Umm...ok I guess?'

'Great! Yay! This is amazing, I'm so happy! I never thought I'd ever get you!'

Oh no, don't say that. Please, anything, ANYTHING but that. Oh Gods, and what about school? Merlin was such an idiot, he'd probably already announced it on facebook...

'Hey Merlin?'

'Yes Arthur? X'

"Oh great, he's using kisses now", Arthur groaned internally.

'Could we please just keep this between us for now Merlin? Not tell anyone? Not even Gwen?'

'Sure. Whatever you want x ;)'

Oh great. What the Hell was he gonna do?

End chapter 1

Thank you for actually reading this. Please review ;)

(Oh, and if the person I'm basing this on is reading this: remember, its only "loosely based" on reality)